India vs Pakistan handshake row: ACC Chair comes up with a 'spirit of sport' lecture
No one anticipated that the face-off between India and Pakistan, for the first time since the Pahalgam terror attack, would go seamlessly. Wading through massive outrage, the group-stage India vs Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025 completed its run on Sunday. While the fixture remained largely free of any antics from either side, the heat was still felt significantly. The Men in Blue took the field with one clear aim, ignoring Pakistan to the best of their abilities. Beating Pakistan was not a hard ask, and India completed their task commandingly. India’s seven-wicket win over the arch-rivals was followed by hostility as the Indian players refused to show up for the customary handshakes with the opponents.
Mohsin Naqvi accuses India of "dragging politics into game" after handshake row in the India vs Pakistan clash
Deciding whether to play against Pakistan was not in the hands of the team. The Indian government gave its nod, and the BCCI directed the team to take the field for the India vs Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025. The task was to play and win against the arch-rivals. However, the Men in Blue ensured they cut out the extra obligations around their task. Suryakumar Yadav did not offer a handshake to Salman Ali Agha at the toss.
The one-sided contest did not see the Indian players acknowledging the opponents in any capacity. Wickets were followed by celebrations, but these were kept restricted within the team, with no targets taken at the departing batsman. Meanwhile, India's resolution to ignore Pakistan on the field became as clear as day when the match concluded. Suryakumar Yadav hit the winning six, immediately departing for the dressing room along with Shivam Dube.
The rest of the India squad, watching the match from the dugout, also returned instead of stepping onto the field for the customary handshakes. The Men in Green waited as captain Salman Ali Agha signalled them towards the Indian dressing room. However, the door to India's room was promptly shut in their faces. India's blunt snub rattled Salman Agha, who then did not even attend the post-match presentation.
Suryakumar Yadav, meanwhile, mentioned the victims of the Pahalgam attack and the martyrs of Operation Sindoor in his post-win interaction. It was the Indian captain's way of showing respect and marking the boundary of his duty. Moreover, SKY made it clear in the press conference that playing the India vs Pakistan clash was nothing more than a task for the team. Completing the match marked SKY and his men's show of sportsmanship. Anything beyond that, specifically the customary handshake, was simply not in the interest of their choice.
The statement was loud and clear from the India squad at the Asia Cup 2025. However, it has not landed well with the Pakistani fraternity. The PCB has lodged a formal complaint against the match referee, Andy Pycroft, in addition to categorically denouncing Team India for bringing 'politics into sports.' While the PCB is in a position to speak up for its team, the Asian Cricket Council was expected to act as a neutral host.
However, the line of neutrality has been blurred by the ACC Chair, Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi, also an interior minister in Pakistan, was a prominent presence in the India-Pakistan showdown earlier this year. This time, it seems Naqvi has opted to put his position as a Pakistani minister above his role as ACC Chair in the tournament's context. The ACC head seems as rattled by India's bold move as the Men in Green and the Pakistani fraternity.
A day after the India vs Pakistan match concluded, Mohsin Naqvi issued a statement criticising the Men in Blue. According to the Pakistani minister, India's decision to ignore Pakistan after the match disrespected the spirit of the sport. Naqvi accused the winners of bringing politics into sports and lacking grace in their conduct at the Asia Cup.
"Utterly disappointed by the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let's hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace," Naqvi wrote.
While the whole of the Pakistan set-up can continue to cry foul, Team India, with its thumping win in the lopsided contest, has all but confirmed its qualification to the Super Four as Group A topper. Pakistan, meanwhile, is yet to face UAE, a contest that will decide its next course of action. Meanwhile, chances remain high for another India vs Pakistan fixture to be scheduled at a later stage of the marquee tournament.
