Dubai, UAE: The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash ended with India scripting a dominant 7-wicket victory, but the post-match headlines were stolen by the controversial ‘no handshake’ protest from the Indian team.
India chased down Pakistan’s 127-run target with ease, thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s 47-run knock and a blistering 31 off 13 balls from Abhishek Sharma. The Indian captain hit the winning runs and walked off alongside Shivam Dube, refusing to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha and his team — a gesture that has now ignited political and cricketing debates alike.
India’s Clinical Bowling Performance
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan struggled right from the start. Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya made early breakthroughs before the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (3 wickets) and Axar Patel (2 wickets) dismantled Pakistan’s middle order.
Pakistan were reeling below 100 before Shaheen Shah Afridi’s late cameo lifted them to 127/9, a total that never looked enough against India’s in-form batting lineup.
India’s Chase: Calm and Commanding
Chasing 128, India started aggressively. Abhishek Sharma’s fiery cameo set the tone, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with maturity. The Indian batting lineup never looked under pressure, sealing the win in style and making a strong statement in the India versus Pakistan match at Dubai.
The ‘No Handshake’ Controversy
The biggest talking point came after the final run was scored. Traditionally, players from both sides exchange handshakes to uphold the spirit of cricket. However, the Indian players only shook hands among themselves, heading straight to the dressing room while Pakistan’s squad waited at the boundary.
When asked about the move, Suryakumar Yadav said:
“A few things in life are above sportsmanship. We stand with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and dedicate this win to our armed forces who led Operation Sindoor.”
This was India’s silent protest against Pakistan following the April 22 Kashmir attack, which led to a tense four-day cross-border conflict earlier this year.
Pakistan’s Reaction
Pakistan’s camp was visibly upset. Team manager Naveed Akram Cheema lodged an official protest with match referee Andy Pycroft, while head coach Mike Hesson confirmed that captain Salman Ali Agha skipped his post-match interview in response.
“We were ready to shake hands. The opposition didn’t. We walked over, but they had already gone inside,” Hesson said.
Did India Break ICC Protocol?
According to reports, the match referee had permitted both teams to skip pre-toss and post-match handshakes due to heightened political sensitivities. However, Pakistan players were reportedly not informed, which led to the awkward standoff.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, criticized the incident, saying:
“Utterly disappointing to witness the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of cricket.”
Why Handshakes Matter in Cricket
In cricket, the handshake tradition is symbolic of respect and sportsmanship. It usually takes place:
- At the toss between both captains.
- Post-match between players and officials.
This ritual has now turned into a flashpoint, raising questions about whether politics should be kept out of cricket or if such gestures hold symbolic value in times of conflict.
Key Highlights – IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025
- India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets while chasing 127.
- Kuldeep Yadav (3 wickets) and Suryakumar Yadav (47 runs) were standout performers.
- Indian team refused post-match handshakes with Pakistan.
- Pakistan lodged a protest with match officials.
- ACC chairman termed the move “disappointing.”
🚨 INDIA BEAT PAKISTAN BY 7 WICKETS IN ASIA CUP 🚨
— 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 (@kumarpradeep_in) September 14, 2025
– 2 wins in 2 games for Surya & his team.#IndianCricket#INDvsPAK#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/N78990NgCf
Conclusion
India’s convincing win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered for more than just cricketing brilliance. The ‘no handshake’ protest has added another chapter to the storied rivalry of India vs Pakistan matches, blending sports, politics, and national sentiment into one of the most talked-about encounters of the tournament.
As the Asia Cup progresses, all eyes will remain on how these two cricketing giants navigate both the on-field battles and the off-field tensions that continue to define their relationship.
Read More: Asia Cup 2025: Towhid Hridoy Defends Bangladesh’s Measured Approach in Win Over Hong Kong
