New Delhi: Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav once again snubbed the customary handshake with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss during the Super 4 clash between the two sides in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday. Suryakumar ignored Agha and didn’t shake hands or exchange team sheets with the Pakistan captain at the toss.
India won the toss and opted to field first in their high-pressure Super 4 encounter against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. A week earlier, at the same venue, India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in the group-stage meeting between the two teams to secure their spot in the Super Four.
However, India’s win was marred by a controversy post the game as their no-handshake gesture ensured the game ended on a tense note. The Indian players, including skipper Suryakumar, refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players, leading to a full-blown controversy. Angered by India’s handshake snub, Pakistan lodged complaints against the match referee before threatening to pull out of the tournament.
However, ICC rejected Pakistan’s request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the tournament. Pakistan turned up for the UAE game after boycott threats, claiming that they had received an apology from Pycroft. Interestingly, Pycroft officiated in Pakistan’s group-stage clash against UAE and is the match referee for their Super 4 clash against India on Sunday.
Pycroft joined Agha and Suryakumar, the two captains at the toss ahead of the Super 4 clash between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The match referee was seen standing alongside as Surykumar snubbed handshake with the Pakistan captain and headed straight to the dressing room after speaking to Ravi Shastri.
No handshake by Suryakumar Yadav again 😭🔥 pic.twitter.com/wuXXy2ezOV
— Rahul (@meri_mrziii) September 21, 2025