Dubai: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally lodged a complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over Team India’s refusal to shake hands following their Asia Cup encounter, calling the gesture a violation of sporting spirit and escalating the already tense atmosphere between the two teams.
The complaint was filed late on Sunday, September 14, after India secured a dominant seven-wicket win under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. “Team manager Naveed Cheema has raised a strong objection to the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands. This conduct was deemed unsporting and contrary to the spirit of cricket. In protest, our captain did not attend the post-match presentation,” read an official PCB statement.
This may not be the last confrontation, as India and Pakistan could potentially face each other twice more in the ongoing tournament.
Suryakumar, however, defended the team’s stance, clarifying that it was a collective decision meant as a tribute to the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists. “This was a team call. We came here to play, and we have given them our reply. Some things go beyond mere sportsmanship. We dedicate this victory to the armed forces who carried out Operation Sindoor and to the families of those affected by the attack,” Suryakumar said after the match.
The game marked the first India-Pakistan cricket clash since the attack in Kashmir and India’s retaliatory strikes against terror camps across the border earlier this year. On the field, India outclassed Pakistan in all departments, turning the much-hyped fixture into a one-sided affair.
Tensions were evident from the start, as Suryakumar declined to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha at the toss. Following the final whistle, the lack of post-match handshakes further irked the Pakistani side, leading Salman to boycott the presentation ceremony.
“We were prepared to shake hands despite the result, so we were disappointed when they refused. Of course, we are unhappy about our performance, but we also believe in maintaining the spirit of the game,” Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson told reporters.
PCB also revealed that match referee Andy Pycroft had asked Salman not to shake hands with the Indian captain at the toss — a directive that added to the controversy. The board has now formally requested the ACC to look into the incident, reiterating that such behaviour undermines the values of sportsmanship.
