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- By Gurmeet Batra
- Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:50 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) senior official has defended the Indian team's decision to snub the customary handshakes with Pakistan players after the Asia Cup 2025 match, highlighting that the Indian players were not bound to extend the gesture.
According to a report by news agency PTI, the team management held discussions to decide on their approach ahead of India's Asia Cup match against arch-rival.
The match ultimately ended in controversy as, after the handshake snub, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal protest with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft.
Meanwhile, India captain Suryakumar Yadav had explained his team's stand, showing solidarity with the families of the Pahalgam terror attack victims in which 26 people were gunned down by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
The sentiment was echoed by head coach Gautam Gambhir while talking to the tournament broadcaster.
As the wait for an official statement from the ACC continues, a senior BCCI official stated that shaking hands is a goodwill gesture and not a mandatory rule in cricket.
"Look, if you read the rule book, there is no specification about shaking hands with the opposition. It is a goodwill gesture and a sort of convention not law that is followed globally across the sporting spectrum," a senior BCCI official told PTI.
"If there is no law, then the Indian cricket team is not bound to shake hands with an opposition with whom there is a history of a strained relationship," he added.
Moreover, Pakistan reportedly threatened to boycott their upcoming match against the UAE if match referee Andy Pycroft isn't removed from the tournament, given that the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is the current head of ACC.