New Delhi: Cricket’s supposed to be a gentlemen’s game, but on September 14, 2025, in Dubai, it became a battleground of emotions. India crushed Pakistan in the Asia Cup and skipped the usual handshake : A bold move to call out Pakistan’s alleged links fo terror, like the horrific pahalgam attack that killed 26 people in april.The team dedicated their win to Indian soldiers sending a wave of pride through the nation. Pakistan, though, didn’t take it lightly, and now the drama’s threatening to derail the tournament.
Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, walked out of the presentation ceremony, clearly stung. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) went further, demanding the ICC fire match referee Andy Pycroft for supposedly backing India’s stance. They even suspended their own cricket director, Usman Wahla, for not handling the snub well.
Now, the PCB’s threatening to boycott their next match against UAE on September 17. If they do, UAE gets a free pass to the Super 4s, while India, already through, keeps marching on. As someone on X put it, “Why risk another loss when you can just bail?”
The ICC isn’t buying Pakistan’s complaints, saying their demands could hurt cricket’s spirit. India’s position is clear: no friendly matches with a country tied to terror, but the Asia Cup is about showing up and winning, says BCCI’s Devajit Saikia. Still, people are angry. Families of the Pahalgam victims and fans across India are asking why the BCCI’s ₹35 crore from broadcast deals helps fund the PCB. On X, #NoCricketWithTerror is blowing up, with calls to give that money to our martyrs’ families instead. Anand Ranganathan summed it up: “Why support a neighbor that stabs us in the back?”
Pakistan’s upset about a handshake feels hollow when they stay quiet about violence in Kashmir. India’s saying loud and clear: we’ll play, we’ll win, but we won’t act like everything’s fine. If Pakistan walks away, that’s their call. India stands strong.
