Controversial Acts By Pakistan Cricketers That Led To The 'No Handshake' After IND vs PAK Clash

Shahid Afridi and Faheem Ashraf's post [Source: Screengrab]

In the high-stakes theatre of India-Pakistan cricket, the battle is never confined to the 22 yards. The recent Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai, where India secured a comprehensive 7-wicket victory, will be remembered not just for the batting and bowling masterclass, but for what happened, or rather, didn’t happen, after the final ball was bowled.

In a stark departure from cricket’s cherished tradition of sportsmanship, the Indian team, led by SKY, made a powerful statement of diplomatic boycott. There were no handshakes, no pleasantries, and no words exchanged. The Men in Blue collectively turned away from their Pakistani counterparts, with SKY and Shivam Dube chewing gum and walking coolly off the field, ignoring a waiting Salman Agha. 

The dressing room door was shut, closing off any possibility of interaction. It was more of a calculated response, a direct consequence of a series of provocative and politically charged actions by Pakistani cricketers during the recent "Operation Sindoor" conflict.

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The Context Of The Drama: Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam Attack

The geopolitical tension between the two nations had hit a fever pitch following Operation Sindoor, a military confrontation from India that was a direct response to the recent tragic terrorist attack in Pahalga, that further inflamed public sentiment in India, leading to serious questions about the appropriateness of even playing the match. 

Against this volatile backdrop, the actions of several Pakistani cricketers, including current stars, served to sever the already frayed threads of cricketing camaraderie.

Pakistan Cricketers Who Crossed The Line

The Indian team’s decision, while dramatic, was rooted in a series of deeply offensive acts that moved beyond national pride into outright hostility.

1. Shahid Afridi

The former captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi used a public rally, the "Youm-e-Tashakur" (Day of Gratitude) in Karachi, to launch a direct and provocative attack. “Pakistan’s defence is unbreakable. Modi now realises how costly it is to confront Pakistan. They martyred our children, targeted civilian areas and mosques. We are a peace-loving people, but we will not remain silent in the face of such aggression,” Afridi said, squarely siding with the military narrative and accusing India of initiating the conflict.

2. Mohammad Rizwan

The wicketkeeper-batter took to social media to share a politically charged message in support of his country's stance. 

“We have learned from the pure words of Allah (SWT) that war should not be initiated — but if war is imposed upon you, then do not retreat,” he wrote on X. 

He labelled Pakistan a “victim of terrorism” whose soil is “stained with the blood of martyrs,” and issued a challenge, “No one can defeat such a nation. Every war forced upon them only becomes a reason to unite them further... This is a message for all those who have the ability to understand.”

3. Shoaib Malik

The seasoned all-rounder posted a message of nationalistic fervour that indirectly criticized India. “We are united. Proud of my country – our people and our armed forces – for being united in protecting our motherland. Hum Aik Hain! Pakistan Zindabad, now and always,” Malik stated, framing the conflict as a defence against "outside aggression."

4. Faheem Ashraf

Perhaps the most egregious act came from all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who is part of the current Asia Cup squad and also featured on September 14's the India vs Pakistan clash. He sparked outrage by sharing grotesque Ghibli-style art on Instagram that depicted a Pakistani soldier applying sindoor (vermilion) on an Indian woman wearing a tricolour sari. 

Faheem Ashraf's Instagram story [Source: Screengrab]

Captioned “New Chapter Begins,” this post was widely condemned as a vile mockery of India’s national dignity and the pain of its women, turning a symbol of matrimony into one of humiliation.

5. Abrar Ahmed

Not to be left behind, spinner Abrar Ahmed, also in the current squad, directly mocked the Indian Air Force. 

Abrar Ahmed's post [Source: @nitin_chaubey/X.com]

In March 2025, he posed with a cup of tea captioned “Fantastic Tea,” a cruel reference to the 2019 capture of IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, a painful memory for India that was callously revived during Operation Sindoor.

Result: Surya & Co.'s Bold Step To Not Shake Hands

When Suryakumar Yadav’s men took the field in Dubai, they carried the weight of these insults with them. The refusal to shake hands during the toss was the first sign. The complete snub after the match was the unequivocal message.

This was India’s response. It was a statement that while they would honour their sporting commitments on the field, off it, there would be no false pretence of friendship or normalcy.

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