Another India vs Pakistan fixture and another controversy that could headline the media. Apparently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has requested players from both the nations to put aside political issues and shake hands after their game at the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025. The two teams meet in Dubai on December 14, with India U-19 unit including captain Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
The ‘handshake saga’ captured the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 so much so that the actual on-field cricket was the less talked about topic. In all the three times India faced Pakistan in their Asia Cup winning campaign, the BCCI asked the players not to shake hands with any Pakistani. This was done because the team wanted to take a stance against the Pahalgam terror attack happened in May.
ICC wants no handshake drama
As per PTI, the ICC has asked the BCCI to drop their plan (if there is) of avoiding shaking hands with Pakistan counterparts.
“The boys haven’t been told anything. But obviously BCCI has given explicit instructions to its manager Anand Datar. Now if Indian boys don’t shake hands with Pakistan team then match referee will have to be informed in advance. We know for a fact that ICC doesn’t want politics to take front seat when it comes to junior cricket. So it is a case of both bad optics and public sentiment,” a BCCI official in the know of things told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
As mentioned earlier, the handshake controversy started when India told match referee Andy Pycroft that they won’t be shaking hands with any Pakistani player after their group game at the Asia Cup. Then, the same trend continued at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 as well and also at the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup. Now, the ICC wants to end this drama and eyes sportsman spirit to prevail.
However, the ball is still in the BCCI’s court. India Under-19 team manager Anand Datar and head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar have been asked to take a call before match.
As far as the Under-19 Asia Cup is concerned, the tournament is set to begin from December 12 onwards. ACC Under-19 Asia Cup Groups:
- Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Malaysia
- Group B: Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal
