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Just not cricket: How India-Pakistan tensions spill onto the pitch
The handshake snub is the latest example of how cricket mirrors politics between the two countries.
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AFP - Mon, 22, Sep 2025
- 17:05 EDT
- 23
Representative Image / ICC
India and Pakistan's refusal to shake hands during their Asia Cup cricket matches bent the code of the so-called "gentleman's game", as sport once again served as a proxy battlefield.
The tournament marks the first meeting between the nuclear-armed neighbours since their armies clashed in May -- a four-day exchange of artillery, drones and missiles that killed more than 70 people.
The sporting rivals do not play bilateral matches, meeting only at neutral venues during international tournaments.
Also Read: Not a rivalry anymore, Suryakumar says after beating Pakistan
The handshake snub is the latest example of how cricket mirrors politics between the two countries.
Eyes down
The cricket-mad neighbours have already met twice in the Asia Cup T20 tournament this month, played in the United Arab Emirates as a neutral venue.
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