India’s seven-wicket victory over Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2025 has been marred by controversy after the Indian cricketers were seen “boycotting” the post-match handshake. The matter has reached the ICC now, and opinions are divided on potential penalties for this under the governing body’s Code of Conduct.
India vs Pakistan: India’s No-Handshake Gesture Sparks Debate
The Sunday game at Dubai International Stadium was a one-sided affair on the pitch as Suryakumar Yadav’s side easily ran down Pakistan’s score. But what transpired before and after the game captured more headlines than the game itself.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha during the toss, said a source. The tension also continued at the end of the match, when Suryakumar and Shivam Dube directly proceeded to the dressing room without greeting the Pakistani players waiting in the middle.
It has been termed a “silent protest” by the Indian side in view of escalated political tensions between India and Pakistan after recent Pahalgam terror attacks.
India vs Pakistan: PCB’s Official Complaint to ACC
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was quick to respond to the act. PCB sent an official complaint to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and called for the match referee Andy Pycroft’s removal.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was disappointed on social media, accusing Pycroft of violating the “spirit of the game” by ordering Pakistan captain Salman Agha not to shake hands during the toss.
“Entirely disappointing to see the absence of sportsmanship. Injecting politics into the game is against the very essence of cricket,” Naqvi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
India vs Pakistan: What ICC Rules Say About Post-Match Conduct
While the heat of the moment is on, whether India gets punished rests solely on ICC’s interpretation of its regulations. In accordance with the ICC Preamble Spirit of Cricket, players should “thank the officials and your opposition at the end of the match, whatever the result.”
In addition, Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct places “conduct contrary to the spirit of the game” under Level 1 offence. Level 1 offences may be punishable with a fine of up to 50% of the match fee or an official reprimand.
But According to a Source, so far, there has been no official word on it from the ICC, and in such situations, decisions are typically left to the match referee and the disciplinary committee of the governing body.
India vs Pakistan: What Could Happen Next
If ICC does consider the no-handshake action as a breach, the likely course of action would be a monetary fine as opposed to a suspension. Historically, previous cases of spirit-of-cricket breaches have tended to result in fines or warnings instead of stern measures.
For the time being, the world waits to see how ICC responds next, potentially opening up a new chapter of how symbolic acts such as this are addressed in international cricket in the future.
