India Players Refuse Handshakes, Says Pakistan Coach

After India’s strong win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 match, a new controversy has surfaced this time, off the field.

Pakistan’s coach Mike Hesson has said that Indian players walked off the field after the match without shaking hands with the Pakistani team. He expressed disappointment, calling it a moment that goes against the spirit of the game.

“We may compete hard, but we should still respect each other. I was disappointed to see no handshakes after the match,” said Hesson during the post-match press conference.

The match was held at Dubai International Stadium on September 14, where India defeated Pakistan by a big margin. It was a high-pressure game, with millions watching across both countries. But what happened after the final ball has now become a hot topic.

According to Hesson, once the match ended, the Indian players left the field without following the usual handshake tradition. In cricket, players from both teams usually shake hands after the game as a sign of respect, no matter the result. This time, however, it did not happen, and that has raised many questions.

When Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was asked about it, he kept his response brief. He said that the team was “following protocol” and did not comment further. So far, there has been no official statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The handshake issue has sparked strong reactions online. Many cricket fans in Pakistan took to social media to express their frustration. Some called it “unsportsmanlike,” while others believed it showed poor team spirit. On the other hand, some fans argued that it might have been a misunderstanding or related to security or time restrictions.

This is not the first time a post-match handshake between India and Pakistan has been talked about. In past tournaments too, there have been moments when the teams didn’t interact much after matches. Due to political tensions and tight security protocols, personal contact between the two sides is often limited.

Cricket experts have also shared their thoughts. Former Pakistani cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq said on a local sports channel that handshakes are important in maintaining the gentlemanly spirit of cricket.

“You fight on the field, but you shake hands later that’s what makes cricket special,” he said.

So far, the Asia Cup organizers have not taken any official action or issued any comment on the incident. It is not clear if this will be discussed formally or if the teams will issue clarifications.

What’s certain is that the handshake issue has once again highlighted how closely every India-Pakistan match is watched not just the play, but also the behavior of players after the game. Whether it was intentional or just a miscommunication, the lack of handshakes has become a talking point in both countries.

India and Pakistan could face each other again later in the tournament, possibly in the semi-finals or final. If that happens, all eyes will again be on not just the cricket but also how the players interact once it’s over.