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DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally protested against what it termed India’s “inappropriate behaviour” during the ACC Asia Cup 2025 clash, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema confirmed on Sunday.
The fixture, already played under tense circumstances, witnessed unusual scenes right from the toss, where both captains skipped the customary handshake on the instructions of match referee Andy Pycroft, a directive Pakistan deemed contrary to cricket’s spirit of sportsmanship.
Tensions escalated further after India’s victory.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who struck the winning runs, celebrated with teammate Shivam Dube before both walked straight to the dressing room.
While the Indian players congratulated each other inside the dugout, they refrained from acknowledging or shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts.
Pakistan’s players, meanwhile, waited for the post-match customary handshake, only to see the Indian side retreat and shut their dressing room doors.
Cheema lodged an official protest, stating: “Indian players’ refusal to shake hands is against sportsmanship.” He also raised questions over Pycroft’s handling of the situation at the toss.
In a symbolic response, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony, a traditional segment where skippers from both sides reflect on the contest.
READ: Suryakumar Yadav reveals reason behind no handshake in India-Pakistan clash
