The India-Pakistan handshake row overshadowed their Asia Cup clash in Dubai, reflecting the tense ties between the rivals.
Political frictions between India and Pakistan resurfaced on the cricket pitch during their Asia Cup match in Dubai on Sunday. Players from both sides avoided the customary handshake before and after play, a stark reminder of the sensitive relationship between the neighbors.
Referee Andy Pycroft instructed India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands before the toss, the Pakistan Cricket Board stated. The PCB claimed this instruction was “against the spirit of the game” and filed an official complaint to the International Cricket Council.https://www.icc-cricket.com PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in a post on X, condemned Pycroft’s conduct and demanded his removal from Asia Cup duties.. Naqvi, also president of the Asian Cricket Council, called on officials to protect the spirit of cricket from being subject to political tensions between countries.
India-Pakistan Handshake Row Deepens Asia Cup Tensions
On Sunday, Suryakumar hit the winning runs for India, and as soon as it was done, he left the field with his team-mate Shivam Dube. The two simply ran back to the dressing room without acknowledging the Pakistan players – leaving tensions unresolved in the aftermath of the match. In response, Agha just did not do the scheduled television interview with ex-India batter Sanjay Manjrekar. Pakistan coach Mike Hesson referred to the action as a “follow-on effect”, stating that his team had intended to go and shake hands, but found the Indian team already in the lower rooms. He said that while there was frustration in their performance, they should have offered respect.
The match on Sunday was the first of the two cricketing juggernauts since the April Pahalgam, Kashmir, gun attack on tourists. India is the honorary host for the Asia Cup, but since the two teams do not tour each other’s countries, they are playing their matches in the United Arab Emirates. India was a last-minute entry when the central government gave it permission to play Pakistan in an international game.
Suryakumar later backed India’s stance, saying the team followed the Board of Control for Cricket in India and government directions. Moreover, he mentioned that the players wanted to focus on cricket and show support to the victims of the Pahalgam attack and their families.
In any regard, notwithstanding the drama, the group stage of the Asia Cup is far from over. India and Pakistan can meet each other again in the round of Super Four later this week, if both teams progress from Group A, providing the great rivals with another high-pressure match-up.
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Cricket match between PAK & IND is a foot-slam on every Indian’s face