Entire Timeline Of India Vs Pakistan Handshake Row That Shocked The World In Asia Cup 2025

India vs Pakistan handshake row timeline [Source: AFP Photo]

The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash was supposed to be a riveting battle between two sides, but it turned out to be a controversial contest that involved the handshake fiasco. With tension brewing between the two nations, the Indian team decided not to shake Pakistan players’ hands before and after the game, and it created disputes as political turmoil ruined the fun of the game.

The situation escalated, and there are rumours that Pakistan might even pull out of the remainder of the Asia Cup 2025 event. How did the events unfold? Here’s a complete timeline.

India avoid handshake before and after the match

During the toss time between India and Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha won the toss and he elected to bat first. The two captains didn’t even greet each other as they left the field after revealing their playing combinations. However, the controversy erupted after the contest ended.

Suryakumar Yadav smacked a gigantic six to end the match, and he, alongside Shivam Dube walked towards the dressing room without shaking hands with Pakistan players, and this infuriated the Men in Green.

Mike Hesson blasts India's rude gesture

Reportedly, after the win, Pakistan came outside the Indian dressing room, but the Men in Blue had already shut their dressing room door. This angered not only the Pakistan team, but also their coach, Mike Hesson, who condemned this act, and stated that this was a “rude” gesture by the Indian side.

SKY pays tribute to Pahalgam victims, No Agha Salman in post-match presentation

After the match, when Suryakumar Yadav was called upon for a discussion, the India skipper paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, and this triggered the Pakistan camp as they felt SKY was mixing politics with sports.

Further controversy was created when Pakistan skipper, Agha Salman, didn’t attend the post-game presentation, and showcased his way to rebel after what India did after the match.

PCB lodge complaint against match referee

PCB lodged an official complaint to the ICC against match referee, Andy Pycroft, as they felt he was biased towards India and was favouring them during and after the game. PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, was furious with the referee, and they wanted to remove him from officiating in the Asia Cup 2025 matches, but ICC rejected the plea immediately.

Pakistan threaten to boycott Asia Cup 2025

With ICC rejecting PCB’s plea, Pakistan threatened to boycott the Asia Cup 2025 if the match referee wasn’t removed from the entire event. However, that would have hampered their image as the UAE would have qualified for the Super 4, and Pakistan could have been barred from hosting future ICC events.

Pycroft reportedly removed from Pakistan games

Reportedly, Pycroft has been removed from officiating in the remainder of Pakistan's games in the Asia Cup 2025; however, he will officiate in other games of the tournament.

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