Former Indian Captain Sunil Gavascar took care of the stir surrounding the Pakistani protest after the Indian seven goals in their clash Asia Cup 2025 groups and at the International Stadium in Dubai said that the absence of Salman Ali Agha in interviews after matches.
The controversy broke out when Indian players refused to exchange handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts, a gesture that quickly entertained into the main flash. The tension was further deepened after Pakistani Captain Salman Ali AGHA boycotted the television presentation ceremony. Gavascar also came to defend Indian captain Suryakumara Yadava and described his decision not to scare his hands with the opposition as a personal choice.
“Sport and politics have never been separate – you just have to look back over the years to see it. I wouldn’t criticize someone for taking this attitude, and I wouldn’t want to get into the debate. When you start discussing political links, you get into politics and complexity that are frankly beyond the payment scope.
“Actually, I didn’t see it myself, but in the end it is up to every individual they want to do. There are times when people abuse you and say things that are not acceptable. If someone calls you names, you ask you to go with them and shake them.
Meanwhile, the Pakistanian cricket council (PCB) took an aggressive attitude towards controversy. On Monday, he demanded the immediate removal of Andy Pycroft’s referee from the ongoing Asia Cup, who claimed that the Zimbabwa official violated the ICC behavior and MCC laws on the spirit of cricket.
“The PCB filed a complaint against ICC regarding the violation of the Referee of the Code of ICC behavior and MCC laws concerning the spirit of cricket. PCB demanded the immediate removal of the Referee from the Asia Cup,” PCB chief Naqvi said.
Naqvi, which also leads the Asian cricket council (ACC), confirmed that the complaint was filed, although the tournament was under ACC and not ICC.
Pakistan previously escalated the matter by skipping the presentation after the match, while the Board of Directors issued a strongly formulated statement.
“The team manager of Naveed Cheema gave a strong protest against the behavior of Indian players to avoid shaking his hands. It was considered indisputable and against the spirit of the game. As a protest, we did not send our captain to the ceremony after the match,” PCB read.
The controversy arose from throwing coins when the Suryakumar Yadav nor Salman Ali Agha did not deal with the usual handshake. PCB later claimed that it was a referee Pycroft, who asked both captains to skip the ritual before the match.
Indian attitude was subsequently justified by Suryakumarwho said it was a gesture of solidarity with the families of the victims of the terrorist attack of Pahalgam, in which 26 Indian tourists killed Pakistani militants. India responded by Sindoor operations and focused on terrorist infrastructure across the border.
The Dubai clash was the first time that both nations were facing a cricket field from a terrorist attack and Indian retaliation strikes in May.
While Handshakes are considered part of a cricket convention before and after matches, the laws of the game are not ordered. In Sunday throwing, both captains only handed over their team certificates to the Pycroft, exchanged words with commentator Ravi Shastri and returned to their dressing room.
With the possibility of two more clashes of India-Pakistan in the rest of the tournament, “Handshake” policy could continue to be a point of flare.
– ends
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
September 15, 2025
