Empty seats, boycott calls and a snubbed handshake: India vs Pakistan match overshadowed by off-field drama
The heated cricket match marred with controversy
- Pakistan accused India of lacking sportsmanship after Indian cricketers refused to shake hands before and after an Asia Cup 2025 match in Dubai.
- The Indian team's refusal to engage in customary handshakes followed their seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, with captains also not shaking hands at the toss.
- Pakistan's cricket board filed a formal complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft, claiming he had asked captains to skip the pre-match ritual.
- The incident occurred amid heightened geopolitical tensions between the two nations, stemming from a military conflict triggered by Indian airstrikes after a terror attack in Kashmir.
- Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the victims of the Kashmir terror attack and the armed forces, stating that "a few things in life are above the sportsman's spirit."