Pakistan Lodges Protest After India Players Refuse Handshake in Asia Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal protest with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) following the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands after their Asia Cup clash here, calling the act “unsporting” and raising tensions between the two sides.

In a statement released late Sunday, the PCB said India’s actions went against the spirit of the game after their seven-wicket defeat to Suryakumar Yadav-led India.

“Team manager Naveed Cheema lodged a strong protest against Indian players’ behaviour of not shaking hands. It was deemed as unsporting and against the sport of the game. As a protest, we did not send our captain to the post-match ceremony,” the statement read.

The incident adds to the longstanding rivalry between the two cricketing nations, with officials from both boards expected to address the matter at the ACC level.