IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025: No Handshake as India Clinch Seven-Wicket Win

The high-voltage India-Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2025 ended with a commanding seven-wicket win for India and an unusual moment—no post-match handshakes between players.

After skipper Suryakumar Yadav finished off the chase in towering style, both he and Shivam Dube shouldered their bats and walked down the pavilion without even engaging in any gesture from the Pakistani players. Interestingly, even before the first ball was bowled, the traditional handshake was skipped at the toss between captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha.

Bowling Party for India

Set the tone for Indian bowlers break the back of Pakistani innings by dismissing Pakistan for 127/9 in 20 overs, thanks in part to Hardik Pandya, who from the very first legal delivery had the pride of Pakistan, Saim Ayub, out for a golden duck.

From then on, it was all-round bowling:

• Kuldeep Yadav saved the day with 3/18,
• Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel got two wickets each,
• while Pandya and Varun Chakaravarthy got one each.

The innings of Pakistan never got into full flow apart from Sahibzada Farhan's brief resistance of 40 off 44 and some fireworks from Shaheen Afridi of 33 off 16*, but the scorecard was way too less for India to chase down.

Chased by SKY

• The reply by India was confident as they chased down the set target in 15.5 overs.
• Abhishek Sharma (31 off 13) was blazing in the powerplay.
• Tilak Varma (31 off 31) was steady during the middle overs.
• Suryakumar Yadav was unbeaten on 47 off 37 as the finish was executed to perfection.
• Shivam Dube made 10* with a massive six and then exited, walking alongside his skipper.
• This win further tilted the head-to-head record to 15-3 in favor of India in recent T20 encounters.

Toss Drama & Protocol

The absence of handshakes wasn't limited to the post-match scenes. At the toss, both captains handed over their team sheets to match referee Andy Pycroft but avoided the customary greeting, with the TV commentator, Ravi Shastri, conducting the proceedings.

Later, a BCCI source explained that no breach of protocol had taken place, saying:

"Every tournament has its own rules. For the record, Suryakumar Yadav didn't shake hands with UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem at the toss in the last match either."

Political Backdrop

It was the first encounter between India and Pakistan post the terror attacks at Pahalgam earlier this year, leaving retaliatory military action on the other side of the border. While tensions were at boiling point off the pitch, the Indian players insisted that their focus was solely on cricket, with all emotions set aside in a professional manner.

Final Scorecard

Pakistan: 127/9 (20 overs)

Farhan 40 (44), Shaheen 33* (16)

Kuldeep Yadav 3/18, Bumrah 2/28

India: 131/3 (15.5 overs)

Suryakumar Yadav 47* (37), Abhishek 31 (13)

Saim Ayub 3/35

Result: India won by 7 wickets