Dubai, UAE – The widespread impact of the ongoing political impasse between India and Pakistan has led to the controversial conclusion of the cricket match of the 2025 Asian Cup held in Dubai, Captain India confirmed that his team chose his team to oppose protesters.

Fans and experts hope that the on-site action could help cool off the heat off-field when a set of fixtures was confirmed on Sunday after a long review by the Indian government.

However, Yadav Seven-door victory In the T20 match, a “perfect answer” was given to Pakistan after a fierce four-day cross-border conflict, which put both countries in full swing war in May.

“Our (Indian) government and BCCI (Indian Cricket Control Council) are consistent with the decision to make the decision to participate in this match. We are here just to play the match and give them (Pakistan) a perfect answer,” Yadav told the media shortly after the match.

What happened at the end of the India-Pakistan match?

Yadav, who Win For India, walking out of the field with his batting partner Shivam Dube without approaching the Pakistan captain and team for a traditional post-game handshake.

Pakistani players struggle in a group waiting for the Indian team to shake hands with support staff, as is the norm at the end of the cricket match.

However, the Indian contingents only shook hands with each other, then walked into their locker room and looked at the waiting Pakistani players.

There was no handshake between the teams. Salman Agha wants to bring Pakistan to India’s locker room, but nothing. They all go straight #indvpak pic.twitter.com/0bbjtydkaf

— Paul Radley (@paulradley) September 14, 2025

Why did the Indian team refuse to shake hands with Pakistani players?

The Indian captain was asked to clarify the actions of his team and whether they were in conflict with the sport’s spirit.

The 35-year-old quickly replied: “Some things in life are beyond the spirit of athletes.”

“We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and their families and dedicate this victory to the brave armed forces participating in Operation Sindoor.”

Yadav refers to multiple missile attacks by Indian armed forces on six Pakistan locations.

India said the missiles were in response to the April 22 attack on tourists by Indian-managed Kashmir in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed. An armed group called the Resistance Front (TRF) demanded independence for Kashmir, claiming responsibility for the attack, but India allegedly involved in Pakistan.

Two days later, Pakistan responded to the missile strike by attacking military devices on the border of India-managed Kashmir, which had struck at least four facilities.

The conflict ended four days later due to a ceasefire from international brokers.

Diplomatic ties between neighbors were still suspended when the exchange of airfires stopped, and political tensions poured into cricket when the match between India and Pakistan was announced by the Asian Cricket Commission (ACC).

Is India violating any rules without shaking hands?

As a result, the match was played in a highly charged political atmosphere, and when both captains were not addicted to the habit of pre-match wrestling handshakes, the focus quickly shifted to the interaction between the teams.

However, Al Jazeera learned that match referee Andy Pycroft asked Yadav and his colleague Agha to skip the pre-ritten ceremony.

Officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) asked to be anonymously told Al Jazeera after the match was over.

The match officials also allowed India to skip Pakistan’s post-match handshake, but did not inform Agha or his team, according to sources.

This led to a clumsy post-match scene where the Pakistani player followed Yadav out of the stadium, waiting for the Indians to appear, just watching them close the locker room door.

How does Pakistan respond?

Pakistan’s manager Akram Cheema protested against the action of the Indian cricket team, a match referee recognized by the International Cricket Commission (ICC).

“The referee allowed the Indians to step out of the field after our team manager protested,” the official said.

Additionally, Pakistani Captain Agha did not speak during a post-match chat with the host broadcaster, a sign of protest.

Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson confirmed that Agha refused to attend the speech and that the media briefing was the “subsequent effect” of the Indian team’s action.

“We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game, but our opposition didn’t do that,” Hessen said.

“We kind of walked up there and shook hands, they’ve walked into the locker room.”

Why is handshake important in cricket and what is the plan?

According to the norm of cricket, two of the team’s field players hit a second handshake with the field team and the referee before leaving.

In all international cricket games, it is now a common practice, and the batting team then goes into the ground and shakes hands with the opponent.

It provides both parties with friendly notes and encouragement exchange words to end the match.

In the same way, both team captains fell 30 minutes before the game started.

The tossing is done by the match referee on the court, usually live.

Both the captain and the match referee can indulge in pre-match chats about the team lineup or any other thing that both teams benefit each other.

The game referee can also meet with the captain, head coach or manager of any team before the game.

What are the comments from the competition officials on this incident?

The move was lamented by ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the PCB.

“It’s very disappointing to witness the lack of sports today,” Nakvey said in an article on X.

“Dragging politics into gaming is contrary to sportsmanship.”

It is very disappointing to witness the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into games is contrary to sportsmanship. Let us hope that future victories are celebrated by the team of all grace

-Mohs naqvi (@mohsinnaqvic42) September 14, 2025

Al Jazeera has contacted the ACC to comment on the revelation of comments that both captains were asked not to toss.

The ACC has not responded to the request yet.

If both teams are eligible for the Super Four Stage, then Pakistan and India will likely meet again in the Asian Cup.

India has almost qualified after two wins in two matches, while Pakistan must face the UAE in a must-win match on Wednesday.

If both teams win their respective matches, their Super Four matches will be held in Dubai on Sunday.