The Asia Cup 2025 has already sparked heated debates, not only due to umpiring controversies but also because of India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan’s players. Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has openly criticized the move, calling it unnecessary and unsportsmanlike.
A Controversial Start to Asia Cup 2025
The tournament began amid rumors that India might boycott matches against Pakistan. While those fears were dismissed once both group-stage and Super Four clashes went ahead, a new controversy emerged.
In both encounters, Indian players broke with cricketing tradition by refusing to shake hands with Pakistan’s cricketers—both during the toss and after the matches. The decision drew criticism from fans, analysts, and now even former Indian cricketers.
Azharuddin’s Strong Reaction
Speaking to Indian media, Mohammad Azharuddin questioned the logic behind such behavior.
“I don’t see any issue with handshakes. I don’t know why the Indian team avoided it. If you have agreed to play the match, then refusing to shake hands does not make sense,” he said.
Azharuddin emphasized that sportsmanship must be upheld regardless of political or cricketing tensions. He called the act “unnecessary” and damaging to the spirit of the game.
Umpiring and Refereeing Under Fire
The controversy over handshakes is not the only issue in the spotlight. Pakistan has raised concerns about poor umpiring and refereeing decisions in this year’s Asia Cup.
One major incident occurred in the Super Four stage, when Fakhar Zaman was given out controversially after what many believed was a clean catch error. Such decisions have fueled accusations of bias and added to the tournament’s already heated atmosphere.
Spirit of the Game Questioned
Cricket has always prided itself on traditions like shaking hands, showing respect, and maintaining dignity regardless of results. By breaking that norm, India’s team has drawn criticism not only from rival fans but also from its own legends.
For many observers, the refusal to shake hands reflects poorly on the image of Indian cricket and undermines the values that make cricket more than just a sport.
Looking Ahead
As the Asia Cup 2025 progresses, questions remain: will the Indian team continue this stance, or will criticism from icons like Azharuddin push them to restore sportsmanship?
One thing is clear: the controversy has overshadowed performances on the field, raising fresh debates about the balance between politics and cricket in one of the sport’s biggest rivalries.
