Tensions Flare as India and Pakistan Captains Forgo Handshake in Asia Cup

In the Asia Cup contest, India and Pakistan cricket captains, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha, skipped the traditional handshake during the toss. This unusual move attracted attention as it defied the convention in international cricket, against the backdrop of heightened political tensions between the two nations.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Dubai | Updated: 14-09-2025 22:09 IST | Created: 14-09-2025 22:09 IST
Tensions Flare as India and Pakistan Captains Forgo Handshake in Asia Cup
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The Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan witnessed an unexpected moment of tension, as the captains of both teams, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha, refrained from participating in the customary pre-match handshake during the toss, capturing widespread attention.

The gesture, though not mandated by cricket rules, is a conventional practice in international cricket. However, this instance saw the Indian and Pakistani leaders avoiding eye contact and foregoing the handshake, stirring conversations in the cricket world.

This confrontation marks the first meeting of the two teams since the Pahalgam attacks earlier this year. India's recent sports policy disallows bilateral events with Pakistan, which delves into the wider implications of political tensions on the sports arena.

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