India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 — A contest beyond ‘handshakes’ set for a new chapter in Super Fours

Handshakes, or rather the absence of them, have been in the eye of the storm ever since the denouement of the Group A clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 last Sunday.

With the storm far from subsiding, the two arch-rivals will meet again at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

This time, the stakes will be even higher: a win to kick things off in the Super Four stage will go a long way towards facilitating the path to the final on September 28.

In the aftermath of the first encounter, the quest for one-upmanship — on the back of India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan’s players — saw the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demand the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the tournament.

PCB president Mohsin Naqvi contended that Pycroft had prohibited both captains from shaking hands at the time of the toss.

The ICC has categorically rejected that demand.

In the midst of all the off-field drama, the ease with which India brushed aside Pakistan in that first fixture has almost been overlooked.

If the contest between bat and ball is to now return to the forefront, it will require Salman Agha’s men to show far more skill and shrewdness than they managed last week.

In recent times, the rivalry has been fuelled more by past baggage and public sentiments than riveting duels on the field.

After India’s most recent rout of Pakistan by seven wickets, the head-to-head in the shortest format has swayed further in the former’s direction. In 14 contests, one of which was a tie, the Men in Blue have won 10 while Pakistan has prevailed thrice.

For the Pakistanis to spark a reversal in fortunes, a way to negate India’s spin triumvirate — Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy — will have to be found.

In recent times, the rivalry has been fuelled more by past baggage and public sentiments than riveting duels on the field.
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REUTERS

At this venue last weekend, they floundered on two counts: in addition to losing six wickets to Kuldeep, Axar and Varun, they were also far too cautious with their rate of scoring, seldom exerting any pressure back on the Indian tweakers.

It resulted in a subpar total of 127 for nine that the eight-time champion overhauled with 25 deliveries to spare.

While Suryakumar Yadav experimented with two specialist pacers at the expense of Varun for the inconsequential affair against Oman on Friday, India should revert to its combination of three spinners for the marquee outing.

Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the Oman tie, will also return to spearhead the attack. In the batting department, Sanju Samson’s half-century versus Oman, though not his most fluent, bodes well.

If the contest between bat and ball is to now return to the forefront, it will require Salman Agha (right, in green) and his side to show far more skill and shrewdness than they managed last week.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

Pakistan, to the contrary, has serious concerns to confront. None more so than the wretched run of Saim Ayub at the top of the order. The 23-year-old left-hand batter is yet to score in this competition, having been dismissed for three consecutive ducks in the preliminary stage.

If not for his handy off-breaks, he wouldn’t warrant a spot in the team. The form of skipper Salman — 23 runs in three matches, including a duck — is another worry.

The Boys in Green need to place far more attention on fixing these issues. And perhaps not worry so much about the ritual of handshakes.

Published on Sep 20, 2025