Asia Cup 2025: India Skip Handshakes With Pakistan, PCB Files Complaint — Will ICC Intervene?

• India defeated Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2025 clash but sparked controversy by skipping the customary post-match handshake.
• The Indian team walked straight into the dressing room after Suryakumar Yadav’s match-winning six.
• PCB has officially lodged a complaint with the Asia Cup authorities regarding India’s behavior.
• ICC Code of Conduct does not mandate handshakes, making punishment unlikely.

The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai lived up to the hype on the field but ended in controversy off it. After skipper Suryakumar Yadav sealed victory for India with a six, the Indian players headed straight into their dressing room, pointedly skipping the customary handshake with their Pakistani counterparts.

In a rare sight, not only did the Men in Blue avoid shaking hands, but they also shut the doors of their dressing room immediately after returning, making it clear that no interaction would follow.

National Sentiment vs Spirit of the Game

The gesture quickly became a talking point worldwide. In India, fans widely applauded the players for aligning with the prevailing boycott sentiment against Pakistan, hailing them for putting national pride above cricketing traditions.

On the other hand, several former Pakistan cricketers criticized the act, labeling it as “unsporting” and “against the spirit of the game.”

PCB Files Official Complaint

In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement confirming that their Asia Cup representative has filed an official complaint about the Indian team’s behavior. The complaint has been directed to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which governs the Asia Cup.

The big question now is whether the International Cricket Council (ICC), which oversees international cricketing conduct, will step in and penalize India.

Will ICC Punish India?

The ICC Code of Conduct emphasizes respect for the game, teammates, match officials, and opponents. However, it does not specifically mandate handshakes as part of post-match protocol.

Handshakes, while seen as an important gesture of sportsmanship, fall into the category of tradition rather than regulation. Hence, even though India’s actions may be viewed negatively by sections of the cricketing fraternity, there is no direct clause under which the team can be sanctioned.

Cricket experts believe that unless the incident is proven to involve verbal abuse, physical misconduct, or disrespectful behavior, the ICC will not punish the Indian team.

“The act of shaking hands is not mandatory under the ICC Code of Conduct. While it is encouraged as a gesture of respect, skipping it does not automatically constitute a breach,” one former match referee explained.

India Unlikely to Face Sanctions

With no explicit law breached, the likelihood of any punitive action against India appears minimal. The incident may continue to stir debates on the balance between political sentiment and cricketing courtesy, but as of now, Team India is within their rights.

As India prepare for their next Asia Cup encounter, the focus will shift back to cricket. However, the diplomatic undertones of the latest controversy will ensure that every move between the two sides continues to be closely scrutinized.