In a moment that went viral on social media, the pre-match formalities of the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai were marked by a striking absence of sportsmanship. During the toss, neither India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav nor Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha extended a hand to shake, which immediately set a tense tone for the encounter. The pointed lack of interaction between the two leaders was seen by fans as a sign of the simmering tension that often accompanies this historic rivalry, hinting at a larger political context that overshadowed the game of cricket itself.
Asia Cup 2025, IND vs PAK toss drama: Did Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha Avoid handshake with each other?
The high-voltage match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium began with an unexpected and deliberate act that defined the pre-match atmosphere. Indian captain Suryakumar and Pakistan’s Salman Agha both walked out for the toss, but in a moment that did not go unnoticed by the cameras, both captains pointedly refrained from shaking hands or even acknowledging each other.
The Indian Express reported that Suryakumar had made up his mind on the morning of the game and informed his team that he would not ‘oblige the handshake,’ This decision was reportedly made in light of the ‘outrage back home,’ following a terror attack and subsequent retaliatory strikes by India. The players were aware of the intense emotions but were left with no choice but to participate in the game as the BCCI and the government had given their consent. This act was seen as a silent protest and a show of solidarity with the national sentiment, bringing the political dimension to the forefront of a sporting event.
Here’s the video:
Coin falls in favour of Pakistan and they choose to bat first 🏏
Watch #INDvPAK LIVE NOW on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/IU98kUSWda
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 14, 2025
Asia Cup 2025, IND vs PAK: Team changes and a series of potential encounters
Beyond the pre-match incident, the context of the match itself was significant for both teams. With the absence of veteran players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have both retired from the T20I format, leaving the responsibility of leading the team to Suryakumar and his squad. The Group A match was deemed vital, as the winner would effectively confirm their progression to the Super Four stage of the tournament.
This potentially being the first of up to three clashes between the two arch-rivals in a span of just two weeks. If both teams qualify from their group, they are set to face each other again in the Super Four round, and a third encounter in the final remains a strong possibility. The last T20I Asia Cup encounter between the two nations, which took place in 2022, was won by Pakistan in the Super Four stage, a fact that both teams would have been acutely aware of heading into this highly-anticipated and high-pressure face-off.
