The latest chapter in the fierce cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan has taken an unexpected turn. After India’s commanding victory in their Asia Cup group-stage match on September 14, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally lodged a protest against the Indian cricket team, accusing them of refusing to engage in the customary post-match handshake.
The controversy has now escalated into a formal complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and has drawn attention to the “Spirit of Cricket” clause in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct, which emphasizes respect and sportsmanship between teams.
The Incident: No Handshakes Before or After the Game
According to reports, the Indian players refrained from shaking hands with the Pakistan team, both at the start and at the conclusion of the match. Observers noted that the tension was apparent right from the toss, where Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistani counterpart Salman Ali Agha did not shake hands.
This was not the first time the two captains avoided the gesture; they had also skipped the handshake during the captains’ press conference prior to the start of the tournament.
The situation reached a flashpoint after India clinched the match convincingly. As per cricketing tradition, players from both teams usually line up to shake hands, but the Indian team instead walked off the field, leaving the Pakistan players visibly frustrated.
Pakistan’s Formal Protest
The PCB released a strongly worded statement condemning what it called a violation of the “Spirit of Cricket.” They have approached the Asian Cricket Council and filed a complaint against both the Indian team and match referee Andy Pycroft.
“The match referee Andy Pycroft had asked captain Salman Ali Agha, at the time of the toss, not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart,” the PCB claimed. “The Pakistan team management has lodged a protest, calling the behaviour against the spirit of sports.”
The statement further revealed that Salman Agha boycotted the post-match presentation ceremony as a mark of protest. “Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest against the behaviour of the Indian team, as the ceremony host was also an Indian,” the PCB added.
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Match Referee Also in Spotlight
Interestingly, Pakistan’s protest is not just directed at India but also at match referee Andy Pycroft. Reports from ESPNcricinfo suggest that Pycroft allegedly advised Salman Agha not to shake hands with Suryakumar Yadav before the toss, possibly to prevent on-field friction given the political and emotional tensions surrounding the fixture.
Pakistan has interpreted this as an endorsement of India’s behaviour, and the team management has insisted that this undermines the spirit of cricket and violates the code of conduct that applies equally to players, officials, and captains.
Spirit of Cricket and the ICC Code of Conduct
The ICC’s “Spirit of Cricket” preamble is considered an integral part of the game’s ethos. It emphasizes respect for opponents, captains, teammates, umpires, and the game itself. A key line in the preamble reads:
“Congratulate the opposition on their successes, and enjoy those of your own team.”
While the handshake tradition is not explicitly mandated in the laws of cricket, it has become a widely recognized gesture of respect, sportsmanship, and goodwill. Pakistan’s grievance is that India’s decision to forgo the handshake amounts to a breach of these unwritten but highly valued customs that help preserve cricket’s unique character.
India’s Silence and Possible Reasons
So far, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not issued an official statement regarding the handshake controversy. Sources close to the Indian team have suggested that the decision to avoid handshakes was motivated by non-cricketing factors, citing heightened security concerns and the tense political backdrop following recent incidents.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav had earlier dedicated the team’s victory to the families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which may explain why the Indian players opted not to engage in any gestures they felt would appear insensitive in light of ongoing national grief.
Salman Agha’s Boycott
The controversy deepened when Pakistan captain Salman Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony entirely, breaking from another long-standing cricketing tradition. Typically, both captains attend the presentation ceremony to offer their thoughts on the match, regardless of the result.
While Salman Agha’s absence was explained as a protest against India’s actions, critics argue that boycotting official ceremonies might have violated the terms of participation in ICC and ACC-sanctioned events. Whether this will lead to disciplinary action remains to be seen.
The Rivalry Beyond Cricket
India vs Pakistan matches have always been about more than just cricket. The intense rivalry is rooted in history, politics, and national pride, often magnifying even the smallest incidents on or off the field.
This latest handshake row has only added fuel to the fire. Cricket fans and analysts are divided — some see India’s stance as a justified expression of solidarity in difficult times, while others argue that the players have a responsibility to uphold the sporting spirit regardless of political tensions.
Reactions from Experts and Fans
Cricket experts have weighed in on the controversy. Some former players have defended the Indian team, arguing that respect can be shown in multiple ways and that safety and emotional well-being should take priority. Others have criticized the decision, warning that such actions set a dangerous precedent and could encourage further breaches of sportsmanship in international cricket.
Fans, meanwhile, have taken to social media, with hashtags related to the handshake row trending across platforms. Supporters of both teams have engaged in heated debates, turning the issue into yet another flashpoint in the already charged cricketing rivalry.
Possible Outcomes
The Asian Cricket Council is expected to review Pakistan’s formal complaint in the coming days. If the ACC finds merit in the grievance, it could issue a warning, fine, or even impose sanctions on the players or teams involved.
However, given the sensitivity of the matter and the global attention the rivalry attracts, cricketing authorities may seek to resolve the issue diplomatically to prevent further escalation.
Conclusion
The handshake controversy following India’s win over Pakistan has moved beyond a simple on-field incident and sparked a broader conversation about the spirit of cricket, sportsmanship, and the role of politics in international sport.
Whether the Asian Cricket Council will take punitive action or opt for a conciliatory resolution remains to be seen. For now, the incident has intensified the already high-voltage atmosphere of the Asia Cup and added another layer of drama to one of cricket’s most storied rivalries.
As fans look ahead to potential future clashes between these two sides, there is hope that the focus will soon return to the game itself — where cricket, not controversy, takes center stage.
