Tension at Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav, Salman Ali Agha Refuse Handshake Before Toss
India and Pakistan captains avoided handshake at Asia Cup 2025 toss as political tension looms over high-stakes clash.
India and Pakistan met in Dubai on Sunday for their Asia Cup 2025 clash, but the match began with a tense moment at the toss.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha did not shake hands, make eye contact, or exchange any greeting before or after the coin spin. Salman won the toss and chose to bat first. Both teams went in with unchanged lineups.
Tense Backdrop to the Game
The lack of handshake came against the backdrop of rising political tension. In April, 26 civilians were killed in a terror attack near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which has strained ties even further.
Many voices had called for India to boycott this fixture, but the players were advised by head coach Gautam Gambhir to stay calm and focus on cricket.
India vs Pakistan Rivalry Continues
This is the second time the two sides are meeting in 2025. Earlier in the Champions Trophy, India chased down 242 thanks to a Virat Kohli century.
But this time, both Kohli and Rohit Sharma are absent, having retired from T20 internationals. Suryakumar Yadav now leads a younger squad into a high-pressure contest.
The last T20I Asia Cup clash between the two came in 2022, when Pakistan defeated India in the Super Four stage. This Group A encounter is crucial, as the winner will be almost certain of a place in the Super Four.
If both India and Pakistan progress, this could be the first of three meetings between them in two weeks. A Super Four rematch is possible, and should both sides reach the final, another high-voltage showdown awaits.
