Pakistan formally records protest over India’s unsporting behavior in Asia Cup clash

The Pakistan team manager has lodged a formal protest against the “inappropriate behavior” of the Indian side during the Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), team manager Naveed Akram Cheema formally protested to the match referee, highlighting that the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands with the Pakistani team was a clear violation of the spirit of sportsmanship.

A spokesperson for the Pakistan team revealed that the match referee, Andy Pycroft of Zimbabwe, had earlier instructed both captains not to shake hands at the toss.

Following the incident, Cheema confronted Pycroft, telling him the conduct went against the spirit of the game.

Indian players had left when Pakistani players came to shake hands: Mike Hesson

In protest against India’s behavior, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha did not attend the closing ceremony. As per sources, another reason behind his absence was the fact that the presenter of the ceremony was from India.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson defended the team’s reaction, calling it a “natural response” to the Indian players’ actions.

After India’s victory in the high-votlage match on Sunday, the Indian squad walked off the field without greeting their Pakistani counterparts, while earlier at the toss, both captains had also avoided shaking hands.