The India vs Pakistan cricket match is more than just a game. It is an emotion where politics also came into play due to the diplomatic relations between the two countries. After what happened in Pahalgam a few months back, the public sentiments were hurt, and they wanted to boycott the India vs Pakistan game in the Asia Cup 2025. But things went ahead, and then what happened after the game didn’t sit well with Pakistan. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav and the whole Indian team did not shake hands with Pakistani players after the game. Today, we will talk about the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy in the Asia Cup 2025, and we will see the full chain of events. So don’t go anywhere.
India vs Pakistan Handshake Controversy, Asia Cup 2025: The Entire Sequence of Events
No Handshake between the Two Captains at the Toss
Things started when India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha came in for the toss. There was no handshake between the two individuals during the toss. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Generally, we see that the two captains shake hands during the toss and wish each other, but it wasn’t the case this time around.
India Thrashed Pakistan in the Game
Anyway, India started well with Hardik Pandya taking the wicket of the very first legal ball of the match. Saim Ayub found the fielder in Jasprit Bumrah at cover. Pakistan did not get any momentum in the batting. They continue to lose wickets at regular intervals. At one stage, they were 64/6 in 12.5 overs. The Indian spinners, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel controlled the game in the middle overs. Kuldeep was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets.
Shaheen Shah Afridi played a few shots in the end and helped Pakistan go past 125. Pakistan were restricted to just 127, but at one stage, even 100 looked a bit far for them. Now, they have something to bowl to. Shaheen scored 33* runs off just 16 balls, including 4 sixes.
India started well in a run chase. They were flying at one stage when Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill played a few shots in the power play. Saim Ayub bowled well and took three wickets in the game. But it wasn’t enough for Pakistan to even challenge India. In the end, India won the game by 7 wickets with 4.1 overs left. Captain Suryakumar Yadav remains not out on 47 off 37 balls. Tilak Varma also scored 31 runs off 31 balls.
See the full scoreboard of this match HERE
Suryakumar Yadav and Co. did not Shake Hands with the Opposition
After hitting a winning shot, Suryakumar Yadav and his partner at the crease, Shivam Dube, went straight to the dressing room without shaking hands with anyone. The Indian players shook hands and celebrated victory within themselves, and did not even wait for the Pakistani players to shake hands. Also, there are visuals that are going viral where someone from the Indian dressing room closed the gate. It was like an insult to the Pakistani players as they were waiting to shake hands with the Indian players after the game.
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Suryakumar in the Post-Match Presentation
Suryakumar Yadav talked about the Pahalgam incident that happened a few months back. He dedicated this victory to the victims of the armed forces who showed a lot of bravery in the Operation Sindoor. The Indian captain also expressed solidarity and said the whole team stands with the victims of the Pahalgam attack. “Hope they (Indian armed forces) continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile.” – Suryakumar Yadav in the post-match presentation.
A Few Things in Life Ahead of Sportsman Spirit – Suryakumar Yadav in the Post-Match Press Conference
After the game, Suryakumar Yadav, referring to the handshake incident, said, ‘a few things in life are ahead of the sportsman spirit’. In the press conference, when asked about the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy, Surya said we stand with the victim of the Pahalgam attack, and salute the armed forces who were involved in the Operation Sindoor.
No Interview by the Pakistan Captain after the Game
Generally, it is a protocol that the broadcasters interview both the winning and the losing captain. But Pakistan’s captain did not come for a post-match presentation due to the things that happened on the field. Pakistan’s coach Mike Hesson said in the press conference that Pakistan were not happy with what happened on the field (referring to the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy). That’s why Salman Agha did not come for an interview.
Mike Hesson on India vs Pakistan Handshake Controversy
Pakistan’s coach Mike Hesson told the media in the post-match presser that the Pakistan team were ‘keen’ to shake hands with the opposition players. They were ready for the handshake, but the members of the Indian dressing room had already gone to the change room.
It is not a rule that the two teams have to shake hands after the game, but it came in the spirit of the game. But this time, there was no post-match formality by the Indian team members. The Pakistan team was not happy with the Indian team’s decision not to shake hands.
Pakistan Team Demands Removal of Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup 2025
After the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy in the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan team is demanding the removal of the match referee, Andy Pycroft. There are media reports that say that the match referee, Andy Pycroft, suggested that both team captains not to shake hands during the toss. Now, the Pakistan team has filed a complaint to the ICC (International Cricket Council) against Andy Pycroft to remove him from officiating in the Asia Cup 2025 games.
PAK Threatened to Boycott UAE Game: India vs Pakistan Handshake Controversy
The Pakistan Cricket Team is now threatening to boycott their next fixture against the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Their next game in the Asia Cup 2025 is against the UAE on September 17, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. If Pakistan forfeits its game against the UAE, it will finish the league stage with just two points. In that case, the UAE, which already has two points, will finish with four points and advance to the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan will be out of the Asia Cup 2025 in that case.
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ICC Rejected Pakistan’s Demand
The ICC has rejected Pakistan’s complaint against Andy Pycroft. Pakistan demands that if the ICC doesn’t remove Pycroft from the panel, they will boycott their next game against the UAE. If ICC does not take any action and Pakistan sticks to its boycott stand, as we said earlier, they will be out of the Asia Cup 2025. That means, we won’t see the next IND vs PAK game in the Asia Cup 2025.
Andy Pycroft, via X (earlier known as Twitter), thanked ICC and Jay Shah (ICC Chairman) for not taking any action against him. As per the media report, Pycroft had little role in the handshake fiasco.
Thank you @ICC and @JayShah 🙏 https://t.co/7gpMlgKUjz
— Andy Pycroft (@90_andypycroft) September 15, 2025
What do you think? Will Pakistan boycott their next game? Or will they play their next fixture and continue their journey in the tournament? Whatever the latest development will be, we will continue to update you. Keep following sportschilly.com for the latest updates.
FAQs:-
(1) Who is Andy Pycroft?
A. Andy Pycroft is a former Zimbabwe cricketer who has been a member of the Elite Panel of the ICC Match Referees since March 2009.
(2) What is India’s head-to-head record against Pakistan in the Asia Cup?
A. As of 2025, India and Pakistan have faced off against each other 20 times in the Asia Cup history. India has an edge over Pakistan with 11 wins. Pakistan has managed to win 6 games, while 3 games ended in a no result.
(3) Which Indian batter has scored the most runs against Pakistan in T20Is?
A. As of 2025, Virat Kohli tops the list with 492 runs in 11 games with an average of 70.28.
(4) Which Pakistan batter has scored the most runs against India in T20Is?
A. As of 2025, Mohammad Rizwan has scored the most runs (228) for Pakistan against India in T20Is.
(5) When will India and Pakistan face off other than the Asia Cup 2025?
A. The two teams are set to lock horns in the ICC T20 WC 2026.
