Pakistan Protests After India Refuses Post-Match Handshake In Asia Cup Clash

Pakistan have lodged an official protest after India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, declined to shake hands following their seven-wicket win in a Group A Asia Cup 2025 match at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (14 September), the Hindustan Times reported.

Team manager Naveed Akram Cheema submitted a complaint to match referee Andy Pycroft, calling India’s conduct “against the spirit of sports.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the protest, noting there had been no directive from the referee to skip post-match formalities, even though players were told not to exchange greetings at the toss.

Tensions were already high before the game amid boycott calls in India over the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent “Operation Sindoor,” which targeted militant camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

After Suryakumar sealed victory with a six, he and Shivam Dube reportedly headed straight to the dressing room, bypassing Pakistan’s lineup. When Salman Ali Agha and coach Mike Hesson approached for the customary handshake, Indian team officials shut the door, witnesses said.

The controversy deepened as Agha skipped the post-match presentation, reportedly in protest. Earlier, the captains had also avoided a handshake at the toss, though Suryakumar had similarly refrained with UAE’s skipper in a previous fixture.

Despite the row, Suryakumar used his presentation speech to dedicate India’s win to the armed forces and victims of the Pahalgam attack, saying the team “stands in solidarity” and hopes to “give them more reasons to smile.”

The Asia Cup organisers have yet to comment on whether any action will follow the complaint.

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