India Faces Possible Disciplinary Action After Asia Cup Clash With Pakistan

The fallout from the heated Asia Cup encounter between Pakistan and India in Dubai has now shifted off the field, sparking fresh controversy.

The match began on a tense note as the two captains avoided pleasantries and ended with India refusing to shake hands with Pakistan’s players. According to journalist Saleem Khaliq, this incident has prompted the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to consider disciplinary measures against Suryakumar Yadav’s team.

Pakistan has strongly protested the move. Team manager Naveed Akram Cheema lodged a formal complaint with the match referee, terming India’s refusal “a violation of sportsmanship.” He also claimed the referee instructed both captains to skip the handshake at the toss, a decision Pakistan deemed unjustified. In response, Pakistan has reportedly sought the removal of Andy Pycroft, the referee for the game, from the rest of the tournament.

Adding further tension, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the team’s win to the armed forces, a gesture that many critics said breached ICC rules by politicizing the match. In protest, Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha skipped the traditional post-match presentation.

The ACC has confirmed that it is reviewing all aspects of the incident. While the final verdict is pending, disciplinary fines appear to be the most likely consequence for the Indian side.

The controversy has reignited the long-standing debate over the influence of politics in cricket’s fiercest rivalry, especially with the possibility of the two sides meeting again in the Super Four stage or even the final of the Asia Cup.