The Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan saw not only an exciting clash on the field but also a significant off-field controversy that has sparked intense debate.
After India’s seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, the actions of Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team drew attention not for defeating their arch-rivals but for other reasons.
In this detailed article, we’ll dive deep into the post-match controversy that unfolded after the India vs Pakistan game in the Asia Cup 2025.
From the refusal of handshakes to the heated remarks by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, we’ll cover all the key moments and reactions surrounding this highly charged issue.
Stay with us as we break down every aspect of the controversy that has sparked a nationwide debate.
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Team India Set To 'Snub' Mohsin Naqvi?
The Indian cricket team may reportedly refuse to share podium with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi if they qualify for the Asia Cup 2025 final and go on to win the tournament.
According to Indian media reports, if India qualify for the September 28 final, players are expected to decline standing alongside the Asian Cricket Council President Naqvi, who is also Chairman of PCB.
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Gambhir's Political Shadow?
The Asia Cup 2025 controversy has thrown a harsh spotlight on Indian cricket, with head coach Gautam Gambhir’s political past becoming a central talking point.
Once a Member of Parliament for the ruling BJP, Gambhir is now fueling politics to seep into the dressing room. Under his leadership, Team India has shifted away from the values of sportsmanship and neutrality, instead adopting a politically charged stance of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
As seen in their refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players and the reported boycott of ACC President Mohsin Naqvi. What was once the gentleman’s game is now beginning to look like a stage for political posturing, and many are questioning whether Indian cricket is being guided by strategy or BJP’s ideology.
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Shoaib Akhtar Reaction over Controversy
Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has strongly condemned the Indian cricket team’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players following their Asia Cup 2025 Group A match in Dubai.
Akhtar, speaking on a Pakistani TV show, accused India of politicizing the game, stating, “It’s a cricket match, don’t make it political.”
He also backed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to skip the post-match presentation in protest.
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Stage Boycott Rumors
Tensions continue to rise in the aftermath of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash, with fresh reports from Indian media suggesting that the Indian team may refuse to share the presentation stage with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi if they reach the tournament final.
This potential move is reportedly in line with the Indian players’ earlier decision to avoid handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts, including captain Suryakumar Yadav’s refusal to greet Salman Ali Agha at the toss and post-match.
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ACC Mulls Disciplinary Action
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is contemplating strict disciplinary measures against the Indian team following the unsporting behavior during and after their Asia Cup 2025 clash with Pakistan in Dubai.
The ACC’s disciplinary committee is currently reviewing the incident, which has sparked a fierce debate on the spirit of the game.
Media reports suggest that fines or other penalties could be imposed on Indian players, with the council potentially invoking clauses 2.20 and 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The controversy centers around the Indian team’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan’s players, both at the toss and after the match, a move that many have described as a breach of cricketing etiquette. Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, lodged a formal protest, criticizing the Indian team’s “inappropriate conduct” and alleging that the match referee, Andy Pycroft, discouraged the handshake. Head coach Mike Hesson also supported Pakistan’s stance, emphasizing that respect and honesty are core values in cricket.
With emotions running high in matches between arch-rivals Pakistan and India, the ACC is expected to make a final ruling after thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the incident. If found guilty, the Indian captain, players, and support staff could face significant sanctions under the ICC’s disciplinary guidelines.
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PCB Threatens Boycott
Media reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is seriously considering a boycott of the remaining Asia Cup 2025 fixtures unless the International Cricket Council (ICC) takes action against match referee Andy Pycroft.
Reports further added that the the PCB has made it clear that Pakistan’s participation in the remainder of the tournament will depend on the ICC addressing their grievances and taking corrective action against India for dragging politics into the game.
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PCB remove Director of International Cricket
In a significant move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed Usman Wahla from his role as Director of International Cricket.
According to media reports, Wahla’s removal is linked to his delayed letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the controversial India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match.
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PCB Demands Action
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against the match referee, Andy Pycroft, accusing him of siding with the Indian team and failing to enforce the principles of sportsmanship.
The PCB’s grievance is rooted in the belief that Pycroft, as the match referee, should not have allowed the handshake snub to happen and did not take appropriate action.
The board has now demanded his removal from the Asia Cup panel, even reportedly threatening to boycott their next game against the UAE if the request is not met.
This controversy has stirred strong emotions, with ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressing his disappointment over the lack of sportsmanship, calling it a breach of the game’s spirit.
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Mike Hesson Reaction
Speaking at the post-match press conference against India, Pakistan team head coach Mike Hesson expressed disappointment over the actions of Indian cricketers, stating that the players were ready to shake hands with the Indian players after the match; however, the Indian cricket team, along with their captain, went to the dressing room without shaking hands with the Pakistani players.
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No Handshake Controversy
The controversy erupted after the Indian team declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts following their Asia Cup 2025 win – a break from the tradition of post-match sportsmanship.
The situation intensified when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav defended the move in the press conference, stating that “some things are above sportsmanship.”
He further added that the team was “there to play the game,” a remark that many critics felt undermined the spirit and mutual respect that cricket represents.
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India chased down 128-run
India comfortably chased down the 128-run target with the loss of three wickets and five overs to spare.
India launched a fluent chase of the 128-run target, racing to 88 for two in ten overs, with their top order asserting dominance through precise shot-making.
This was the moment after which the controversy sparked between two arch-rivals India and Pakistan.
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What sparked controversy?
The controversy centered around the Indian team’s refusal to shake hands with the Pakistani players, a traditional gesture of sportsmanship, and certain comments made by the Indian skipper Yadav during the post-match press conference.
Here is everything you need to know.
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