DUBAI: The tension between Pakistan and India deepened on Sunday when Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav once again avoided a customary handshake with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 final, marking the third such incident during this tournament.
After electing to bowl first, Suryakumar walked directly past Agha to join Ravi Shastri for the pre-match discussion, while the Pakistan captain mirrored the move. The repeated refusal to shake hands follows controversies from earlier clashes, where political remarks and on-field conduct overshadowed the cricket.
Observers described the conduct as “unprecedented” and damaging to the spirit of the game, recalling that earlier in the tournament the PCB considered withdrawing after tensions escalated. Match referee Andy Pycroft later admitted mishandling the matter and expressed regret, easing the standoff enough for the teams to continue.
Pakistan entered the final after defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs in their last Super Four match. The 2016 champions have beaten every other opposition en route to the final, though they lost twice to India in earlier rounds. Facing a side led by the world’s top-ranked batter Abhishek Sharma and spinner Varun Chakravarthy, Pakistan carried the hopes of their supporters into a historic Asia Cup title clash.
