Dubai: What happens when one of the world’s most politically charged and intense sporting contests is played under the cloud of lingering hostility? Sunday’s India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match provided the answers.
A seven-wicket win for India ended on a hard-edged note as their players refused the customary handshake with their counterparts from Pakistan after a collective decision endorsed by an important member of the support staff and okayed by the BCCI.
The refusal was not a spur-of-the-moment call.
Handshake between players at the end of a match is more custom than rule. But on Sunday, Suryakumar and Dube, who stitched an unbeaten 34-run stand to wrap up the chase in just 15.5 overs, walked off the ground without shaking hands with the Pakistan players
According to a report, none of the Indian squad came out of the dugout to greet their Pakistan counterparts, despite Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and his team waiting outside the Indian dressing room. It added that Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson was left infuriated at the sight.
Earlier in the evening, both captains shook hands after Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. They also did not engage in an eye contact.
After submitting their respective team sheets to the match referee, Andy Pycroft, they spoke with the TV commentator Ravi Shastri, who was conducting the toss, and then headed back in their respective directions.
Although the sight instantly drew the attention of the cricket fraternity, a BCCI source in the know of things told PTI on the condition of anonymity that Suryakumar’s act was not Pakistan-specific and that he had not shaken hands with the UAE captain as well during their tournament opener on Wednesday at the same venue.
“Every tournament has its own set of rules and regulations. There are tournaments where protocol demands that one needs to shake hands at the toss. For the record, Suryakumar Yadav didn’t shake hands with UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem during the last match’s toss also,” the source said.
India displayed absolute dominance to register a convincing seven-wicket victory in a lopsided Asia Cup clash as a comprehensive bowling performance left Pakistan batters clueless.
After opting to bat first in Dubai, Pakistan endured a nightmarish start, losing their first two wickets in the opening eight deliveries. Hardik Pandya struck on the very first ball, followed by Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Mohammad Harris in the next over, leaving Pakistan in tatters. The spinners then choked the middle overs, with Axar Patel (2/18 in 4 overs), Kuldeep Yadav (3/18 in 4 overs), and Varun Chakravarthy (1/24 in 4 overs) bowling immaculate lines. Pakistan was eventually bundled out for a meager 127/9, at least 50 runs below the par score.
In reply, Abhishek Sharma got off to an explosive start against Shaheen Shah Afridi, smashing 31 runs in 13 balls, before Suryakumar celebrated his 35th birthday with a fine 47 not out off 37 balls.
India, who beat the UAE by nine wickets in their tournament opener, remain at the top of the table. They are now a win away from securing their place in the second round of the Asia Cup. They will face Oman on Friday at the same venue.
We stand in solidarity with Pahalgam victims: Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav dedicated his victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup to the Indian Armed Forces.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated his team’s win over Pakistan in the Group A encounter of the Men’s Asia Cup to the Indian Armed Forces. The right-handed batter, who turned 35 on Sunday, played an unbeaten knock of 47 runs off 37 balls as India chased the total down of 128 with seven wickets in hand and 25 balls to spare.
As soon as the match got done, there were no handshakes between the players of both teams as Suryakumar and Shivam Dube made their way back to the dressing room.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Suryakumar said that his team stands in solidarity with the Pahalgam terror attack victims. Earlier this year, 26 innocent lives were lost in a deadly and ghastly attack in Kashmir. Following this, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
“I think it’s a perfect occasion and taking the time out, we stand by with the victims of the families of the Pahalgam terror attack and we express our solidarity and also the most important thing for me, we want to dedicate today’s win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery,” said Suryakumar.
“I hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile,” he added.
