No handshakes as India beats Pakistan by 6 wickets at Asia Cup cricket. India vs Pakistan highlights

Asia Cup 2025

There is always more to an India vs. Pakistan match than just runs and wickets. The two bitter rivals faced off once more on September 21, 2025, in Dubai, during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage. India chased down the target with seven balls remaining and India beats Pakistan by 6 wickets. The ongoing tension, particularly the fact that the players have yet to shake hands before or after the game, is more noticeable than the cricket. Let’s dissect the game, the events, and the meaning of this.

India Beats Pakistan – A Historic Clash

Once again, the cricketing world witnessed an electrifying encounter as India beats Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. The rivalry between the two nations has always been more than just a game, and every time they face each other, the stakes are sky-high. This time was no different, and the crowd erupted with joy as India beats Pakistan by six wickets in Dubai.

The Match – Key Moments

Pakistan’s Innings

• After batting first, Pakistan amassed 171/5 in 20 overs.
• Fakhar Zaman’s early fall put the innings on a precarious start. Sahibzada Farhan, however, scored 58 from 45 balls after playing a brilliant knock.
• For the second wicket, Farhan and Saim Ayub formed a strong partnership, adding runs to put Pakistan in a position where they could be defended.
• However, in the middle overs, everything started to go wrong. Pakistan lost momentum, had a few quick wickets, and struggled to find the boundaries.
• Pakistan reached a competitive total because to some helpful runs added by Salman Ali Agha and Faheem Ashraf in the last few overs.

India’s Chase

• India’s pursuit was audacious from the beginning. The innings’ standout, Abhishek Sharma, hit five sixes and 74 off just 39 balls. He “opened up” practically instantly.
• He was joined by Shubman Gill, who scored a forceful 47 off 28 balls. They put pressure on Pakistan early on by establishing a solid platform with a 105-run opening partnership.
• There were hiccups: Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav fell for a duck shortly after Gill was removed in the tenth over. India, however, was never far away. Abhishek kept the scoreboard going while remaining composed.
• Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma (30*, off about 19 balls) helped complete the task towards the end, guiding India across the finish line in 18.5 overs.
• India beats Pakistan by 6 wickets

The “No Handshakes” Issue

The lack of handshakes, a custom of sportsmanship, was one of the most talked-about aspects of this game, not the number of wickets or sixes.

• Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan) and Suryakumar Yadav (India) did not shake hands at the toss prior to the game.
• There was once more no handshake between the two sides following India’s victory.
• This was similar to what had occurred in a previous Asia Cup encounter in which the two teams did not shake hands during a Group stage match.
• According to India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, the team is complying with Government orders and the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) directions, which include players avoiding shaking hands with Pakistani players.

Therefore, this isn’t merely an exception to the norm; rather, it’s a pattern in the tournament that indicates underlying diplomatic or political problems between the two countries. Some people now see the handshake, which was once considered a sign of sportsmanship, as a message in and of itself. They may choose to shake hands exclusively in specific situations or refuse to shake hands altogether.

Reactions & What People Are Saying

• Given the current political environment, many people are describing it as unsurprising. Beyond cricket, the India-Pakistan rivalry has always been weighed down by history, geopolitical tensions, and patriotism.
• Sports should stay beyond politics, according to some detractors. They believe that the game’s intended unifying spirit is compromised when players refuse to shake hands. Others claim that handshakes and other gestures can feel symbolic—even tense—when nations are at odds.
• Other than admitting that the handshake wasn’t given, the players themselves haven’t made many public accusations of scandal. According to the Indian side, it is doing as directed. Salman Ali Agha, the captain of Pakistan, attended the post-match presentation ceremony this time around after missing some previous ones.
• Regarding cricket accolades, Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Match, and his daring batting has been praised by many. Additionally, the opening pair with Gill and India’s strong chase performance in spite of losing several crucial wickets.

Also Read

Reflection: Cricket, Sportsmanship & Diplomacy

Handshakes and other similar motions have more uses in sports than only their appearance, particularly in South Asian cricket. They stand for reverence, recognition, and a common heritage. You can see when they’re dropped. It suggests something more general: conflict, strain, possibly protest.

Although the idea of “no handshake” is not new to these matches, it now seems more intentional, starting in the group stage and extending into the Super Four. It appears that India is adhering to specific directives. Pakistan appears to have reacted inconsistently, occasionally showing up for events like the presentation ceremony and other times not. However, the outcome is a partial suspension of the custom of good sportsmanship.

Given political tensions, some would contend that this is a necessary attitude; others will counter that it undermines the ideal of sports as a bridge rather than a battlefield. Both arguments have merit. Refusing to shake hands adds a visible element to the already emotionally charged nature of cricket matches.

The Match That Everyone Waited For

Cricket fans all over the world wait eagerly for the day when India beats Pakistan. The atmosphere inside the stadium was charged, every ball cheered, every run contested. Pakistan batted first, putting up a fighting total, but in the end, India beats Pakistan with confidence, thanks to a remarkable batting display from Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.

Abhishek Sharma Steals the Show

Whenever India beats Pakistan, a hero is born. This time, it was young Abhishek Sharma who played a fearless knock of 74 runs. His boundaries lit up the night, and his intent put India ahead early in the chase. With his performance, he ensured that India beats Pakistan with style, leaving the opposition bowlers helpless.