Dubai, September 14, 2025: The Asia Cup 2025 clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India began on a tense note as captains Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav skipped the traditional handshake during the toss at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Salman walked straight past the Indian team without extending a hand, while Yadav mirrored the gesture. Both skippers appeared to ignore each other during the ceremonial proceedings, reflecting the lingering strain between the two nations.
India–Pakistan matches are always high-voltage encounters, but this fixture carries an even heavier backdrop. The fallout from the May conflict — including disputes over downed aircraft, ceasefire breaches, and political rhetoric — continues to cast a shadow over sporting ties, amplifying the significance of Sunday’s game.
Social media in both countries was abuzz ahead of the contest, with Indian users trending hashtags calling for a boycott of the match. Some opposition politicians in New Delhi also demanded the game’s cancellation, terming it an “insult” to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which India blames on Islamabad. Pakistan has consistently rejected the allegations.
On the field, however, the rivalry remains fierce. India have dominated the T20I head-to-head record, winning 10 of 13 encounters, while Pakistan have prevailed just thrice. In the Asia Cup’s T20 format, India hold a 2-1 edge.
Their most recent meeting came during the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, where Rohit Sharma’s India defeated Babar Azam’s Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller.
