“Few things in life are above a sportsman’s spirit. We stand with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and dedicate this victory to our Armed Forces,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav told a Pakistani journalist, setting the tone for what could be one of the most controversial Asia Cup finals in recent memory. Reports suggest that Yadav will not accept the winner’s trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi if India clinches the title on September 28.
The controversy erupted after Indian players refrained from exchanging handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts following Sunday’s seven-wicket win, an act that has reignited Indo-Pak tensions in cricket. The PCB, angered by the episode, has demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, holding him responsible for the incident. PTI reports that the board lodged a formal complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Yadav defended the team’s stance, explaining that the refusal to shake hands was a mark of solidarity with the families affected by the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. “Together, we came here, we took a call and I feel we came here just to play the game. I think we gave the proper reply,” he said.
As per a PTI report, Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema also filed a complaint with the ACC, claiming that Pycroft’s instructions had prevented the customary exchange of team sheets between the rival captains. The PCB’s anger is compounded by the fact that Naqvi currently heads the ACC, while the ICC is chaired by India’s Jay Shah.
BCCI sources told PTI that the decision to avoid handshakes was made after careful deliberation among senior players and management, including head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir had stated, “No sporting ties till terror activities continue on Indian soil,” underscoring the team’s firm policy. A senior BCCI official told PTI: "If there is no law, then the Indian cricket team is not bound to shake hands with an opposition with whom there is a history of strained relationship."
The Indian team’s stance has drawn both criticism and support. While opposition parties and social media in India criticised the decision to play against Pakistan, many praised the gesture of solidarity with the victims’ families. Historical precedents exist in international sports; for instance, in 2023, Ukrainian Wimbledon player Elina Svitolina refused to shake hands with Belarus’s Victoria Azarenka due to geopolitical tensions, yet faced no penalties.
Cricket experts note that Indo-Pak matches will continue at multi-nation events due to government policies, particularly with India hosting major events like the 2030 Commonwealth Games and aiming for the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad. However, PTI reports that the traditional bonhomie between the two sides is unlikely to return anytime soon.
As the Asia Cup progresses, the spotlight will remain on September 28, not just for the contest on the pitch, but for the symbolic drama off it. If India wins, PTI sources confirm, the presentation ceremony could witness an unprecedented snub, with Suryakumar Yadav refusing to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, a potent reminder that in some battles, cricket and politics remain inextricably entwined.
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The controversy erupted after Indian players refrained from exchanging handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts following Sunday’s seven-wicket win, an act that has reignited Indo-Pak tensions in cricket. The PCB, angered by the episode, has demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, holding him responsible for the incident. PTI reports that the board lodged a formal complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Yadav defended the team’s stance, explaining that the refusal to shake hands was a mark of solidarity with the families affected by the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. “Together, we came here, we took a call and I feel we came here just to play the game. I think we gave the proper reply,” he said.
As per a PTI report, Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema also filed a complaint with the ACC, claiming that Pycroft’s instructions had prevented the customary exchange of team sheets between the rival captains. The PCB’s anger is compounded by the fact that Naqvi currently heads the ACC, while the ICC is chaired by India’s Jay Shah.
BCCI sources told PTI that the decision to avoid handshakes was made after careful deliberation among senior players and management, including head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir had stated, “No sporting ties till terror activities continue on Indian soil,” underscoring the team’s firm policy. A senior BCCI official told PTI: "If there is no law, then the Indian cricket team is not bound to shake hands with an opposition with whom there is a history of strained relationship."
The Indian team’s stance has drawn both criticism and support. While opposition parties and social media in India criticised the decision to play against Pakistan, many praised the gesture of solidarity with the victims’ families. Historical precedents exist in international sports; for instance, in 2023, Ukrainian Wimbledon player Elina Svitolina refused to shake hands with Belarus’s Victoria Azarenka due to geopolitical tensions, yet faced no penalties.
Cricket experts note that Indo-Pak matches will continue at multi-nation events due to government policies, particularly with India hosting major events like the 2030 Commonwealth Games and aiming for the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad. However, PTI reports that the traditional bonhomie between the two sides is unlikely to return anytime soon.
As the Asia Cup progresses, the spotlight will remain on September 28, not just for the contest on the pitch, but for the symbolic drama off it. If India wins, PTI sources confirm, the presentation ceremony could witness an unprecedented snub, with Suryakumar Yadav refusing to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, a potent reminder that in some battles, cricket and politics remain inextricably entwined.
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