The so-called ‘handshake saga’ became one of the most talked about storylines of the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup, overshadowing the on-field performance. During the tournament, where India defeated Pakistan thrice on their way to clinching the title, the BCCI had instructed its players not to shake hands with members of the Pakistan team. The directive was a symbolic gesture in protest against the Pahalgam terror attack that took place in May 2025.
However, in the run-up to the U-19 Asia Cup, the ICC has intervened. The global cricket body has urged the BCCI to drop such a plan and ensure players maintain normal protocol to maintain the spirit of the game.
“The boys have not heard anything. But it is clear that BCCI has given explicit instructions to its manager Anand Datar. If Indian boys do not shake hands with the Pakistan team, the match referee should be informed in advance. We are sure that ICC does not want politics to come to the fore when it comes to junior cricket. So it is a case of both bad optics and public sentiment,” said a BCCI official.
This controversy first gained traction when India informed match referee Andy Pycroft during the group stage of the Asia Cup that they would not engage in handshakes with the Pakistani players. The same stance was echoed during the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup and the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup, prompting the ICC to intervene and put an end to the recurring drama.
For now, the final decision rests with the BCCI. India U-19 manager Anand Datar and head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar have been tasked with taking a call ahead of the match. Meanwhile, the Under-19 Asia Cup starts on December 12, with the match between India and Pakistan already generating a lot of attention.
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