Suryakumar Yadav refuses to even look at Salman Ali Agha at toss, India and Pakistan skippers brutally ignore each other

India captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to even look at his Pakistani counterpart Salman Ali Agha when the two skippers came out to the middle at the toss for the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s contest at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Both captains ignored each other and didn’t acknowledge any sort of presence as they spoke to broadcaster Ravi Shastri.

As expected, there was no customary handshake between Suryakumar and Agha at the toss as well. It must be stated that the handshakes at the toss and after the end of the match are not mandatory in the official lawbook and hence both teams are well within their rights to do so.

The group stage match between India and Pakistan saw no handshakes between the players from both teams once the game was over. Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube charged back to the dressing room as soon as India wrapped up a seven-wicket win, and then the camp shut the dressing room door on their opponents when they approached them for the customary post-match exchange of greetings.

This led to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) taking offence to match referee Andy Pycroft’s conduct, alleging that the senior official from Zimbabwe failed to uphold the “spirit of cricket.” The PCB wanted Pycroft removed from the remainder of the eight-team tournament, but the ICC refused to listen to their demands. The PCB had also threatened to pull out of the Asia Cup if the ICC didn’t remove Pycroft. However, the board did not go ahead with this despite the official from Zimbabwe not going anywhere.

Before Pakistan’s match against the UAE began, the PCB uploaded a video of Pycroft speaking to the captain, coach, and manager. The PCB then released a statement claiming Pycroft apologised for the “miscommunication” in the India versus Pakistan game.

However, the ICC shot an email to the PCB as there was a PMOA (Players and Match officials area) violation since mobile phones are not allowed inside this highly restrictive and confidential area.