Cricket Kitchen

Players from India and Pakistan did not shake hands after the match at Pahalgam Memorial Cricket Ground

September 16, 2025

 

Kathmandu – In the ongoing Asia Cup cricket tournament in Dubai, India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in a match held last night. Chasing Pakistan’s target of 128 runs, India reached the total losing only 3 wickets.

Usually, players and umpires from both teams shake hands before and after the match as a gesture of sportsmanship. However, that did not happen in the India–Pakistan match.

After securing victory, the Indian players left for the dressing room without shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts. Even the Indian players who were in the dressing room and dugout did not come onto the field. Meanwhile, the Pakistani players had gathered and remained on the field.

Pakistan’s coach, Mike Hesson, expressed disappointment, stating that the team was waiting to shake hands after the game, but India ignored the gesture. “We were ready to shake hands at the end of the match, but our opponents didn’t reciprocate, which left us clearly disappointed. We had gone to the field to shake hands, but they had already left for the changing room,” he said.

India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, stated that the team had made a conscious decision not to shake hands with Pakistan. “There are things in life that go beyond the emotions of the game. As I mentioned in the presentation, we stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, we support their families, and we express our solidarity,” said Suryakumar.

Tensions between India and Pakistan had escalated after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April. Despite an official ceasefire, the effects of the conflict have spilled over into cricket. Previously, players from both countries used to shake hands before and after matches.