The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally lodged a protest with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) after Indian players declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts following the Asia Cup clash on Sunday.
The PCB described the gesture as "unsporting" and against the spirit of the game.
Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, secured a convincing seven-wicket victory in the high-profile contest. However, the post-match drama overshadowed the result.
“Team manager Naveed Cheema lodged a strong protest against Indian players’ behaviour of not shaking hands. It was deemed as unsporting and against the sport of the game. As a protest we did not send our captain to the post match ceremony.”
The PCB further indicated that the issue could resurface, with India and Pakistan potentially facing each other again in the later stages of the tournament.
India's Justification
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav defended the decision, stating it was a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the victims of the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed by Pakistan-backed militants.
Rising Tensions
The fallout adds a new layer of tension to an already heated rivalry, with political and security issues frequently spilling over onto the cricket field. The Asia Cup still holds the possibility of two more India- Pakistan encounters, where the atmosphere is expected to be even more intense.
