Agha Skips Post-Match as India Decline Handshakes

The much-awaited India vs Pakistan 2025 clash in Dubai on Sunday was overshadowed by off-field drama. Indian players skipped the usual post-match handshakes and showed poor “Sportsman Spirit”. 

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav explained the decision. “Our government and BCCI - we were aligned today," Suryakumar said at his post-match press conference. "Rest, we took a call about not shaking hands. We came here to just play the game. We have given a proper reply.” Yadav told reporters after the match.

The move visibly unsettled Pakistan. Their captain Salman Agha, making his leadership debut, skipped the post-match presentation altogether. Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson later admitted the players had waited on the field expecting India to line up for handshakes, only to realize the opposition had already disappeared into the dressing room.

Hesson said. "That was a disappointing way for the match to finish, and a match we were disappointed for the way we played, but we were certainly willing to shake hands."

The Pakistan Cricket Board escalated matters, releasing a statement late in the night confirming a formal PCB protest against match referee Andy Pycroft. According to the PCB, Pycroft had advised the captains not to engage in handshakes during the toss, a directive they claim went against the spirit of the sport.

It was the first match between the two sides since the war-like situation earlier this year. While India has ruled out bilateral cricket with Pakistan, the teams continue to face each other in multi-nation tournaments.