A Match Already Under a Shadow
On a bright Sunday in Dubai, the Asia Cup Group A clash between India and Pakistan promised high drama on the field. But before a single ball was bowled, tension snapped tight. At the toss, captains Suryakumar Yadav of India and Salman Ali Agha of Pakistan declined the customary handshake. In the stands and on social media, eyebrows were raised. Why break a tradition that’s been part of the game for decades?
Anthem Mix-Up: From Pride to Confusion
Just as nerves were already fraying, another unexpected moment added to the awkwardness. The stadium’s DJ mistakenly played “Jalebi Baby” during the slot reserved for Pakistan’s national anthem. For a few seconds players stood still, hands on heart, waiting for the familiar melody. The error was corrected, but by then the embarrassment had already rippled through the crowd.
The Game, and What Came After
On the pitch, India took charge. Pakistan’s batting faltered. India chased the modest target with ease. But when the final wicket fell and the result was sealed, something else was also confirmed—there would be no post-match handshake. Pakistan’s players waited. India’s team went straight to their dressing room. Silence replaced what should have been a gesture of sportsmanship.
Pakistan’s coach Mike Hesson said they were ready to shake hands but were visibly hurt when India did not respond. India’s captain, when asked, said that “some things in life are ahead of sportsmanship,” alluding to recent tensions between the two countries.
The Fallout
The Pakistan Cricket Board formally lodged a protest, calling the handshake refusal and pre-match request to avoid it “unsportsmanlike.” Some claimed that the match referee had asked both captains to skip the handshake at the toss. On the other side, Indian officials maintained the decision was made by players aligned with the Board and in light of broader national sentiments.
Fans exploded on social media memes, criticism, debates about where politics should end and sport begin. Many saw this as another example of how cricket, so often a bridge between divided communities, is now echoing the tensions that exist off the field.
What It Means Moving Forward
This clash will be remembered not just for which side won, but for what didn’t happen—the missed handshake, the anthem gaffe, the silence.
For Pakistan, it was a no-handshake snub they say violated the spirit of the game. For India, it appears to have been a deliberate choice reflecting more than just sport.
In one way or another, this match became a mirror: of national pride, of hurt, of the blurry line between sportsmanship and political statement.
