India vs Pakistan Handshake Controversy in Asia Cup 2025 – PCB Lodges Protest After Salman Agha Skips Presentation
Dubai, September 14, 2025 – The India vs Pakistan handshake controversy has once again shown how politics and cricket often collide when these two nations meet. India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup 2025, but the drama that followed off the field grabbed even bigger headlines.
What Happened in the India vs Pakistan Handshake Controversy?
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Before and after the IND vs PAK clash, no handshakes were exchanged.
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India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that this move was pre-planned with guidance from the BCCI and the Indian government.
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Pakistan’s squad was left standing on the ground, waiting for handshakes, while the Indian players had already returned to the dressing room.
This sparked the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy, which instantly went viral across cricketing platforms and social media.
Why Did India Refuse to Shake Hands?
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India followed its government’s sports engagement policy, which permits matches against Pakistan only in multilateral tournaments like the Asia Cup or ICC events, not bilateral series.
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Explaining the decision, Suryakumar Yadav said:
“Our government and BCCI were aligned today. We came here to just play the game, and we have given a proper reply.”
This official stance has now become the backbone of the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy, making it clear that sporting ties remain restricted by political realities.
Pakistan’s Disappointment Over the Incident
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Pakistan coach Mike Hesson openly criticized the decision:
“We were ready to shake hands, but India had already left the field. It was a disappointing way for the match to end.”
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Captain Salman Agha boycotted the presentation ceremony, which is a standard broadcast requirement.
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called India’s refusal “against sportsmanship” and linked it directly to the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy.
PCB Registers a Formal Protest
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PCB team manager Naveed Akram Cheema filed a formal protest with match referee Andy Pycroft.
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According to PCB, Pycroft had even requested captains not to shake hands during the toss, which worsened the situation.
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The PCB statement confirmed that Salman Agha’s absence from the post-match ceremony was a direct reaction to the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy.
Political Backdrop of the Asia Cup Clash
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This was the first meeting between India and Pakistan since the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
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Cross-border hostilities had created doubts over whether this Asia Cup 2025 India vs Pakistan match would even take place.
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While the Indian government approved participation, it maintained strict boundaries that fueled the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy.
Social Media and Fan Reactions
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The incident has gone viral, sparking heated debates among cricket lovers.
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Trending hashtags include:
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#INDvsPAK
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#AsiaCup2025
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#NoHandshake
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#Sportsmanship
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#IndiaVsPakistanHandshakeControversy
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Many fans argue that cricket should remain separate from politics, while others believe India took the right stance given the political climate.
Impact on Future Matches
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The India vs Pakistan handshake controversy may affect future fixtures in both the Asia Cup and ICC tournaments.
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Experts believe the lack of sportsmanship could further strain cricketing ties.
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With the PCB awaiting an official response from match referee Andy Pycroft, the issue is far from over.
Key Takeaways from the India vs Pakistan Handshake Controversy
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India refused handshakes with Pakistan players in the Asia Cup 2025 on government and BCCI instructions.
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Salman Agha skipped the presentation ceremony, showing Pakistan’s displeasure.
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The PCB registered a formal protest against match referee Andy Pycroft.
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The India vs Pakistan handshake controversy reflects how political disputes continue to overshadow cricketing relations.
Sources:
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Post-match press conferences: Suryakumar Yadav, Mike Hesson
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Official statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
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Asia Cup 2025 Dubai media reports
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