India Maintain No Handshake Policy vs Pakistan in U19 Asia Cup

December 14, 2025

Dubai, Dec 14: India’s Under-19 cricket team continued its firm stance of maintaining a ‘no handshake’ policy against Pakistan during their Group A encounter of the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025 at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. The decision once again brought attention to the strained sporting ties between the two cricketing nations.

🚨NO HANDSHAKE BETWEEN INDIA U19 CAPTAIN & PAKISTAN U19 CAPTAIN DURING THE ASIA CUP TOSS🚨 pic.twitter.com/e5GNymUNWr

— Danish (@BhttDNSH100) December 14, 2025

Refusal at Toss Draws Attention

At the pre-match toss, India captain Ayush Mhatre declined to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Farhan Yousuf, adhering strictly to the policy followed by Indian teams in recent India-Pakistan encounters across formats. The brief moment was noticed by players, officials, and fans, quickly sparking discussion on social media.

ICC Advisory Ignored, BCCI Holds Ground

The incident occurred despite reports that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had advised teams to avoid political symbolism and maintain traditional cricketing decorum, especially at the Under-19 level. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly left the final call to the team management, which chose to continue with its existing stance.

Officials close to the matter indicated that the policy remains unchanged and applies uniformly, regardless of the tournament or age group.

Background of the No Handshake Policy

India’s no-handshake policy with Pakistan has been visible in several international tournaments over the past year. The move is widely seen as a symbolic protest linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns related to cross-border terrorism. While Indian authorities have defended the decision as a matter of national sentiment, critics argue that sport should remain separate from politics.

Players Maintain Professional Conduct

Despite the absence of a handshake, both teams displayed professional conduct on the field. Match officials confirmed that no rules were breached and the fixture proceeded without any disciplinary concerns. The ICC does not mandate handshakes, leaving it as a traditional but optional gesture.

High-Stakes in U19 Asia Cup

The India-Pakistan encounter was one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, with both sides coming into the game after impressive wins in earlier fixtures. The outcome of the match is crucial in determining semifinal qualification in the tightly contested Group A.

Reactions Divided Among Fans

Reactions to the incident were mixed. While many Indian fans supported the team’s decision, citing national interest, others called for maintaining sporting traditions at the junior level. Pakistani fans and former players also expressed disappointment but acknowledged that the issue lies beyond the players themselves.

What Lies Ahead

With the U19 Asia Cup progressing toward the knockout stages, the focus will shift back to on-field performances. However, the India-Pakistan rivalry and the continued no handshake policy are likely to remain talking points whenever the two sides face each other.