No Handshake Between India, Pakistan A Teams
A video clip from the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 match between India A and Pakistan Shaheens went viral, sparking claims that Indian players approached their Pakistani counterparts for a post-match handshake. The match, held in Doha, ended with Pakistan Shaheens defeating India A by eight wickets. Soon after, social media was flooded with posts alleging a change in protocol, suggesting that Indian players initiated a handshake despite recent tensions between the two cricketing nations.
The claim quickly gained traction, prompting fans and media outlets to seek clarity.
Match Footage Reveals the Truth
Contrary to the viral narrative, full match footage has confirmed that Indian players did not approach the Pakistan Shaheens for a handshake after the match. The video shows that both teams went their separate ways after the national anthems and again after the game concluded. The footage clearly captures only the Pakistani players exchanging handshakes among themselves, while the Indian team refrained from any such gesture.
This aligns with the precedent set during the 2025 Asia Cup, where India’s senior team also avoided handshakes with Pakistan as a symbolic gesture.
Ongoing Tensions Reflect in On-Field Etiquette
The absence of handshakes is seen as a continuation of the strained cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. During the 2025 Asia Cup, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav had notably skipped shaking hands with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha, reportedly as a mark of solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. India A captain Jitesh Sharma followed the same approach in the Rising Stars tournament, avoiding handshakes with Pakistan Shaheens skipper Irfan Khan.
The incident highlights how off-field tensions continue to influence on-field conduct between the two nations.
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