BCCI Instructs IND-W to Avoid Handshakes with Pakistan Amid Trophy Row
The Asia Cup 2025 may have concluded with India defeating Pakistan in a nail-biting final, but the aftershocks of the event continue to ripple through the cricketing world. Instead of being remembered for thrilling cricket, the tournament has been marred by political standoffs, tense interactions, and a bitter fallout between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi.
The tournament took an unprecedented turn when Indian players and administrators refused to engage with their Pakistani counterparts, a stance that intensified during the trophy presentation ceremony. The trophy drama remains unresolved, as Naqvi took the silverware and medals with him after India refused to accept them.
Now, the controversy has spilled into women’s cricket, with the BCCI reportedly instructing the Indian Women’s team to adopt a similar approach during their Women’s World Cup clash against Pakistan on October 5 in Sri Lanka.
No Handshake Trend to Continue
According to a report from Express Sports, the BCCI has asked the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side not to interact with Pakistani players, including skipping the customary post-match handshake. Sources confirmed that the Indian team was briefed on this stance before their departure for Sri Lanka.
“The team won’t be shaking hands with the Pakistan team during the World Cup. The team has been informed by the BCCI bosses about this. The Indian board will stand by its players,” a BCCI source told Express Sports.
The instructions come in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, India’s counterterrorism mission in response to the Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam. The fallout of this geopolitical conflict directly impacted cricketing ties, making the Asia Cup 2025 one of the most politically charged tournaments in history.
Trophy Row Still Unresolved
The lingering Asia Cup trophy drama has only worsened matters. During the final presentation, Indian players refused to collect the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB chairman. Upset by the snub, Naqvi carried the trophy and winners’ medals away with him.
The BCCI later raised the issue in an ACC meeting, demanding that the trophy be stored at the ACC headquarters in Dubai. However, Naqvi reportedly asked the Indian team or their representatives to come and collect the silverware from the headquarters, prolonging the controversy.
Cricket Overshadowed by Politics
The Asia Cup 2025 highlighted how geopolitical tensions can overshadow the sport. What should have been a celebration of cricketing excellence instead turned into a saga of political statements, delayed ceremonies, and fractured relationships.
For fans, the upcoming India Women vs Pakistan Women clash will not just be about runs and wickets but also about symbolism. The decision to avoid handshakes is seen as a continuation of India’s firm diplomatic stand against Pakistan in cricketing contexts.
As the countdown to October 5 begins, the world will watch closely—not just for the cricketing spectacle, but for the off-field drama that now defines India-Pakistan cricket encounters.
