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14 September 2025, 19:38 BST
Asia Cup, Group A, Dubai
Pakistan 127-9 (20 overs): Farhan 40 (44); Kuldeep 3-18
India 131-3 (15.5 overs): Suryakumar 47* (37)
India won by seven wickets
India and Pakistan cricketers did not shake hands after their first meeting since the conflict between the two nations earlier this year, with India winning the Asia Cup tie by seven wickets.
India cruised home with 25 balls to spare in pursuit of 128, after which captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was unbeaten on 47, and batting partner Shivam Dube immediately left the field.
Pakistan’s players appeared to walk towards India’s dugout when they left the field but the India players had already returned to the dressing room.
There was also no handshake between Suryakumar and Pakistan captain Salman Agha at the toss in Dubai.
Suryakumar was not asked directly about the conflict or lack of handshakes at the post-match presentation, but said the win was a “perfect return gift to India”.
After his final question, he added: “We stand by with the victims and families of the terror attack and express our solidarity.
“We want to dedicate today’s win to all of our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery.”
No Pakistan players spoke at the presentation.
India and Pakistan engaged in a four-day military conflict in April following a deadly militant attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir.
India blamed Pakistan for the attack – which Pakistan denied – and then launched air strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, with Pakistan firing missiles back.
It was the worst military confrontation between the neighbouring countries in decades, with dozens of people killed.
The countries already did not play each other in cricket other than at global events. There were calls for the Asia Cup to be cancelled or the match boycotted, but it went ahead.
What next after handshake snub?
Strained relations between India and Pakistan have long impacted cricket.
Their previous meeting in February at the Champions Trophy was held in Dubai because India refused to travel to Pakistan – the tournament’s hosts.
It was announced in June that Sri Lanka will host Pakistan’s matches at the Women’s World Cup, which begins later this month.
That tournament was originally supposed to be held entirely in India but the schedule was changed now neither country will travel to the other for an International Cricket Council event.
India and Pakistan could yet meet again in this Asia Cup should both sides progress to the latter stages.
What happened on the field?
Away from the controversy, India were commanding winners.
Pakistan opener Saim Ayub was caught at backward point from the first legitimate delivery of the match and Mohammad Haris was taken at deep square leg off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling in the second over.
Pakistan steadied somewhat to 45-2 but lost their next five wickets for 38 runs as India’s spinners took hold in the middle overs.
Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav took 3-18, left-arm spinner Axar Patel 2-18, and Pakistan were floundering at 83-7 until Shaheen Afridi clubbed 33 not out late on.
Still, the 127 total was always well below par.
India opener Abhishek Sharma charged the first ball of the chase, bowled by Shaheen, to take four and lifted the second over cover for six.
Spinner Ayub had India’s Test skipper Shubman Gill stumped for 10, Abhishek caught at long-off for 31, and Tilak Varma bowled for the same score, but India still secured their second win from two matches with ease when Suryakumar heaved a six over mid-wicket.
