Indian cricketers refuse to shake hands with Pakistani counterparts at Asia Cup

The Asia Cup is at the centre of controversy after Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the two nations faced off overnight.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav led India to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against Pakistan before dedicating the win to his country's armed forces.

Pakistan players waited around for customary post-match handshakes after India hit the winning runs, but were left stunned as the not-out batters, Suryakumar and Shivam Dube, walked off the field and straight into the Indian dressing room.

As a result of the handshake drama, Pakistan captain Salman Agha refused to partake in the post-match TV interview, which is also commonplace after a cricket match.

Pakistan also lodged a formal complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft in a post-match statement, alleging he "requested the captains not to shake hands during the toss" prior to the start of the match. Pycroft is yet to respond to the statement.

"Our government and BCCI — we were aligned today," Suryakumar said at his post-match press conference.

"Rest, we took a call [about not shaking hands]. We came here to just play the game. We have given a proper reply."

Suryakumar also hit back at suggestions that India's refusal to shake hands with Pakistan was not a good example of sportsmanship.

"Few things in life are ahead of sportsman spirit also," he said.

"I've [said] it at the presentation as well, we stand with all the victims of Pahalgam terror attacks, stand with their families, and express our solidarity."

The Group A fixture was the first match between the sides since the nuclear-armed neighbours engaged in a four-day military conflict in May this year.

There were demands in India for the team to boycott the match, which went ahead with the Indian board sticking to its stance of playing Pakistan in multi-team events.

At the presentation ceremony, Suryakumar mentioned the April 22 attack in the resort town of Pahalgam in Indian Kashmir, which triggered the military conflict between the neighbours.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson expressed his disappointment at India's actions in his post-match press conference.

"We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game. We obviously are disappointed that our opposition didn't do that," he said.

"That was a disappointing way for the match to finish, and a match we were disappointed for the way we played, but we were certainly willing to shake hands."

Earlier, India's three-pronged spin attack laid the foundation of their second successive victory in the tournament when they restricted Pakistan for a below-par 9-127.

In the run chase, India's openers Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma contributed 31 each before Suryakumar (47 not out) sealed India's victory with a six with 4.1 overs still left in their innings.

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