Handshake Row in Dubai: Pakistan Lodges Protest Against India After Asia Cup Clash

Sep 15, 2025

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Handshake Row in Dubai: Why Pakistan Must Show Maturity After Asia Cup Clash

The Asia Cup 2025 India-Pakistan clash in Dubai has once again shown how off-field drama can overshadow on-field cricket. This time the storm erupted not over umpiring or pitch conditions, but over something far more symbolic — the post-match handshake. Pakistan has lodged a formal protest after Indian players reportedly didn’t shake hands. But here’s the crux: a handshake is not compulsory under cricket’s laws, and the reaction from Pakistan’s camp looks more like an emotional outburst than a sportsmanlike response.

What Happened

India defeated Pakistan in their group match.
Pakistani players lined up for a handshake but Indian players/support staff reportedly walked to the dressing room, with the door later closed.
Pakistan’s captain skipped the post-match presentation as a form of protest.
Pakistan lodged a complaint with tournament officials.

What the Rules Actually Say

The ICC’s Code of Conduct is clear on the principles of respect and the “spirit of cricket,” but it does not mandate handshakes after a match. There is no clause that automatically makes a missed handshake a disciplinary offence. Only if behaviour is deliberately disrespectful or brings the game into disrepute can sanctions be considered.

Rule	Handshake Compulsory?	What’s Required
ICC Code of Conduct	❌ No explicit requirement	Players must uphold the spirit of the game, avoid misconduct and disrespect.
Tournament Protocols	Optional	Organisers may encourage but cannot compel.

Sportsmanship vs Sensationalism

Cricket thrives on rivalry but also on decorum. The post-match handshake has become a tradition — but a tradition is not a law. Sometimes logistics, security, or heightened emotions mean rituals get skipped. Mature teams accept that, regroup, and move on.

Instead, Pakistan has chosen to escalate the issue publicly. By doing so, it risks turning a minor misunderstanding into an unnecessary controversy that distracts from the real issue — their performance on the field.

Why Pakistan Should Take the High Road

In a region already charged by politics and public sentiment, calling foul over a non-mandatory handshake does little to improve relations or the image of the team. True sportsmanship is about grace in victory and defeat.

Choice	Outcome
Accept handshake miss as non-issue, focus on cricket.	Shows maturity, wins respect from neutrals.
Lodge protests and public complaints over non-mandatory act.	Feeds controversy, appears petty, shifts focus from performance.

Pakistan’s players are seasoned professionals. They know how public sentiment can be inflamed in India-Pakistan contests. The mature response here is to acknowledge that no rule was broken, avoid sensationalising the incident, and concentrate on preparing for the next game.

Conclusion

The handshake row is a classic case of tradition clashing with regulation. While it’s always good to uphold cricket’s spirit, there is no rule making a handshake compulsory. Turning a skipped handshake into a formal protest only diminishes the game and the team’s own image. Pakistan, as one of the sport’s oldest and proudest cricketing nations, would do well to rise above minor slights, show grace in defeat, and let the cricket do the talking.