Gambhir Steps In as Indian Players Skip Handshakes – ‘Arey, Umpire Se To Mil Lo!’ While Pakistan Players Watch On

In Dubai, India played Pakistan again in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match. This rematch was even more important than the first one because of the drama off the field involving the PCB, BCCI, and ICC..

India came out on top yet again, defeating Pakistan by 6 wickets to continue their dominant run against their arch-rivals.

The Handshake Controversy Continues

The most talked-about moment from the group stage encounter wasn’t the cricket—it was the handshake row. Indian players had allegedly refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the match, leading to a major fallout.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: India Humbles Pakistan with Unstoppable Record Chase in Dubai

The PCB accused match referee Andy Pycroft of instructing Salman Agha not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav during the toss. PCB even appealed to the ICC to remove Pycroft from the referee panel for the tournament. However, the ICC rejected the request and instead penalized PCB for multiple violations related to conduct and protocol.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: ICC takes action against Pakistan, punishes PCB for multiple violations

Post-Match Coldness and Gambhir's Intervention

In the latest Super 4 clash, the controversy didn’t die down. After India’s win, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma quietly walked off the field without exchanging handshakes with the Pakistan team.

However, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, watching from the dressing room, intervened. He came down to the ground and called the players back to at least shake hands with the umpires while the Pakistani players, having already exited, looked on. This moment quickly went viral, with fans mocking the situation in the comment sections online.

Pakistan, now desperate for a win to stay alive in the tournament, will face Sri Lanka next in Abu Dhabi. Both teams are coming off losses: Pakistan to India, and Sri Lanka to Bangladesh. The winner of this match will stay in contention for a spot in the next stage, depending on other results.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh for the first time in this edition of the Asia Cup, on September 24 at the Dubai International Stadium. With India fielding a strong lineup, and Bangladesh still finding their rhythm, fans can expect a high-energy contest..

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