September 16, 2025
NEW DELHI – The ongoing political standoff between India and Pakistan cast its shadow on the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai on Sunday, where the Indian team declined the customary post-match handshake with their opponents as a mark of protest.
Indian Captain Suryakumar Yadav, who sealed the victory for India, left the field with his batting partner, Shivam Dube, without moving towards the Pakistani captain and team for the routine post-match handshakes.
Pakistan’s players stomped off in a group and waited for the Indian team and support staff to come out and shake hands, as is the tradition at the end of cricket matches.
However, the Indian squad only shook hands with each other before moving into their dressing room and shutting the door as the waiting Pakistan players watched.
A similar incident played out at the toss, where Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha bypassed the customary handshake. Even broadcaster Ravi Shastri, who oversaw the toss, refrained from exchanging pleasantries with Agha.
A major blunder during the India-Pakistan clash on Sunday left players and fans stunned. Just as the Pakistani team prepared for their national anthem, the stadium DJ mistakenly played the popular Jason Derulo x Tesher track ‘Jalebi Baby’, catching everyone off guard.
With their hands placed on their chests, the Pakistani players were visibly annoyed by the slip-up before the error was quickly corrected, and Pak Sarzamin Shad Bad was played.
An India–Pakistan clash is usually the heartbeat of any global cricket tournament, but the buzz was conspicuously absent on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the Asia Cup 2025 fixture.
The stands were only partially filled despite the high-voltage billing, as the arch-rivals met for the first time since the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 Indian tourists dead. On the field, India dominated across all departments to complete a commanding seven-wicket victory, underlining the gulf between the two sides.