DUBAI: Controversy erupted following the high-stakes India-Pakistan cricket match in Asia Cup 2025, after the Indian team reportedly refused to shake hands with Pakistani players at the end of the game. The Pak Vs Ind handshake fiasco has invited criticism from the cricketing community and the civil society alike.
The move has sparked condemnation from Pakistan’s cricket leadership and led to a formal protest being filed with match officials.
Speaking to the media after the match, Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson expressed deep disappointment at the Indian team’s behavior. “We kept waiting for the Indian players after the match, but they went straight to the changing room. This was a very disappointing move,” said Hesson. “There was a severe lack of sportsmanship today.”
The absence of a post-match handshake, traditionally seen as a symbol of respect and camaraderie in cricket, has caused significant fallout. Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema confirmed that a formal protest has been lodged with the match referee, citing inappropriate conduct.
“Indian players’ failure to shake hands is against the spirit of sportsmanship,” Cheema said.
Adding to the controversy, Cheema revealed that at the toss, the match referee had asked both captains not to shake hands, a directive that was reportedly not communicated clearly or was interpreted differently by both sides. In a symbolic protest, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha did not attend the post-match ceremony.
PCB, COACH, AND OFFICIALS RESPOND
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also weighed in, criticising what he described as the politicisation of the sport.
“Dragging politics into the game is against the spirit of cricket,” Naqvi said. “We hope all teams in the future celebrate victories with dignity and respect.”
Coach Mike Hesson echoed these sentiments, calling Pakistan’s reaction “natural” and emphasising the importance of mutual respect in cricket.
ON-FIELD ANALYSIS: BATTING, STRATEGY, AND SELECTION
On the match itself, which Pakistan lost, Hesson acknowledged several tactical shortcomings. “We scored 20 to 30 runs short. Winning the toss and choosing to bat was the right decision, as the pitch gets slower in the second innings,” Hesson noted.
Also read: Pakistan vs India: high-voltage clash of Asia Cup 2025
He defended the decision to rely more on spinners, explaining that only two overs were bowled by fast bowlers, despite Haris Rauf being fit. Hesson also expressed faith in underperforming openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, who have faced criticism for a lack of runs.s
