Advertisement
Advertisement
DUBAI: The traditional trophy shoot with the captains of Pakistan and India will not occur before the highly anticipated ACC Asia Cup 2025 final, sources confirmed on Saturday.
Arch-rivals Pakistan and India are set to lock horns in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, marking the first time in the tournament’s 41-year history that the two sides will contest an Asia Cup title clash.
Organisers stated that no official photoshoot has been scheduled, adding that a last-minute decision on whether the captains pose together with the trophy may only be taken shortly before the game.
This will be the third meeting between the two neighbours in this edition of the Asia Cup, but relations on the field have been far from cordial.
In their group stage encounter, which was the first match since cross-border tensions resurfaced in May, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav notably declined the customary handshake with Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss.
The tension carried through the match as Yadav, after sealing India’s win, walked straight off without greeting his opponents.
Indian players, including Yadav and Shivam Dube, immediately retreated to the dressing room, shutting the doors while Pakistan’s squad remained on the field waiting for the traditional post-match courtesy.
The uneasy exchanges continued in the Super Four clash on September 21, when both teams again avoided handshakes before and after the match.
READ: India coach plays down injury scares for Hardik, Abhishek
