India and Pakistan want to avoid controversy before the important Super For Sexual at the 2025 Asian Cup. The political fallout of their previous matches continues to overshadow the cricket tournament in Dubai.
Pakistan cancelled its pre-match press conference an hour before its scheduled time on Saturday, but Indian captain Suryakumalyadav avoided questions about the “no handshake” line when talking to the media after winning Oman on Friday.
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The South Asian Great Clergy Sunday match will be the second meeting in eight days, allowing them to win the final of the tournament on September 28th.
The political statements and off-field actions following the September 14th clash continue to affect preparations for upcoming Super Force matches, but both camps have taken steps to avoid further impact and protect players from controversy.
When asked to comment on the handshake line after the team’s final group stage fixture on Friday evening, Yadav replied, “It (match) will be a good contest between the ball and the bat.”
He went on to add that he asked the players to “close the noise” ahead of the match against Pakistan.
“Closing the room, turning off your phone and sleeping,” the Indian captain said.
“It’s easy to say, but sometimes it’s difficult.”
The 35-year-old chose to avoid similar comments a day before his second match after his team won against Pakistan on Sunday.
“We stand with all the victims and families of the Pahargam terrorist attacks and dedicate this victory to the brave army who took part in Operation Sindoah,” the 35-year-old was asked if his team’s decision not to shake hands with Pakistani players was against the spirit of cricket.
Yadav had mentioned multiple missile attacks by Indian forces at six locations within Pakistan.
India said the missile was in response to the April 22 attack on India-controlled Kashmir tourists in Pahargam, where 26 men were killed. An armed group called the Resistance Front (TRF), which calls for Kashmir’s independence, claimed responsibility for the attack, but India had claimed Pakistan’s involvement.
Pakistan has denied any role in the attack and called for an independent investigation to be carried out.
Two days later, Pakistan responded to missile strikes by attacking military facilities across India and India-controlled Kashmir and frontiers, hitting at least four facilities.
The conflict ended four days later, thanks to an internationally mediated ceasefire.
While the exchange of air fires stopped, diplomatic ties between neighbors remained halted, with political tension spilling over cricket as Indian players walked off the field without waving in opposition.
After a while, the Pakistani players jumped off in groups, waiting for the Indian team and support staff to come out and shake hands.
But the Indian condition was simply to step into the dressing room and shake hands with each other before closing the door as the waiting Pakistani players were watching.
Shortly after the event unfolded, Pakistani manager Akram Cheema protested his actions with Andy Pycroft, the Indian cricket team.
Pakistan claimed that Paicroft had not clearly communicated the Indian team’s decision not to take part in handshake, an act called in violation of the spirit of cricket.
Pakistan requested the removal of Paicroft as a match umpire for the remaining equipment in the tournament, but later reached an agreement with the ICC, which hosted Pakistan’s final group game with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday.
The Pakistan-UAE match was an hour late as ICC and Pakistan team management officials held a meeting at Dubai International Cricket Stadium before the match.
“ICC match referee Andy Paicroft has apologised to the manager and captain of Pakistan’s cricket team,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
“Andy Pycroft called the September 14 incident a result of misunderstanding.”
The PCB also said the ICC “expressed its willingness to conduct an investigation into violations of codes of conduct that occurred during the match on September 14th,” referring to Paicroft’s request for Pakistani and Indian captains to avoid the customary handshake in tossing that PCB alleges it violated the gaming laws.
However, sources within the ICC told Al Jazeera that Pycroft did not apologise to Pakistan, only revealed his position.
Sources also said the ICC has investigated the issue and concluded that it would not justify the lawsuit against Zimbabwe’s match referee.
Zimbabwe match officials will also be responsible for the equipment for India and Pakistan on Sunday.
