Handshake Controversy: Is Team India in Trouble After Pakistan Match?

The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 lived up to the expectations. The match between the two rivals took place at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Sunday (14th September).

Both India and Pakistan are among the best cricket teams in the world. After winning their opening game of the tournament by a massive margin of seven wickets against the UAE, India carried on their form in the match against Pakistan.

India dominated the opposition with the bat and ball and made a statement. Asked to field first, they restricted the UAE to a total of just 127 runs. Sahibzada Farhan (40) and Shaheen Afridi (33*) top-scored for Pakistan, taking the team to a fighting total, which at one moment didn’t seem possible.

Kuldeep Yadav, who is one of the best spinners in the world, was the star with the ball as he returned with the figures of three for 18. Along with him, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel also bagged two scalps each, while Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy also contributed with one wicket each.

Chasing the target, India had a rollicking start with Abhishek Sharma (31) hitting a four and a six on the first two balls. bowled by Shaheen Afridi. Despite losing both their openers, skipper Suryakumar Yadav (47*) played a magnificent hand, while Tilak Varma (31) supported him as India chased down the target with ease.
What caught the attention of the viewers was when Suryakumar Yadav slammed six to finish the innings, he didn’t wait to shake hands with Pakistan. He, along with Shivam Dube, walked straight into the dressing room without greeting the opposition players and even closed the doors.

Is Team India in Trouble for No Handshake IND vs PAK Controversy?

The ‘No Handshake’ saga became the trending topic with many Pakistani fans lashing out at the Indian national cricket team for their antics. After the incident, Pakistan lodged an official complaint against India as their players refused to shake hands. Even PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi lashed out at India, calling the gesture against sportsmanship.

With all this going on, reports in the Indian Express suggested that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will be taking strict action against India. They felt that it was an inappropriate behaviour by the Indian players not to shake hands with their counterparts. However, the news isn't official yet, which means that the Indian team is safe. The heightened tensions between India and Pakistan got into the game as well, which was visible on the ground.

PCB Calls for Removal of Match Referee

If this was not enough, the reports in PTI claimed that PCB has written a complaint to the ICC for the removal of the match referee Andy Pycroft. Releasing the official statement, Mohsin Naqvi stated:

“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup.”

India will be next seen in action when they will take on Oman on 19th September, while Pakistan will be locking horns with the UAE on 17th September. With the win, India have sealed a place in the Super Four, while Pakistan need one more win to go to the next stage.