Something happened between the India A and Pakistan Shaheen teams during the Rising Stars Asia Cup match in Doha that is once again making headlines.
On Sunday, both teams did not shake hands after the national anthems. India A did not shake hands with Pakistan Shaheen. This is the same pattern that the senior team displayed in the Asia Cup this year.
There, too, there was no handshake during the toss or after the match in all three matches.
Reminiscing about old feuds
This incident brings to mind the Asia Cup in September. There, the senior Indian team avoided shaking hands with Pakistan players in all three matches, including the final. Not even during the toss, not even after the match.
Now, the same trend is continuing in the Rising Stars tournament. Pakistan Shaheen won the toss and chose to bowl first. This tension was clearly visible in the live updates of the match.
The Asia Cup was tense from the start. India’s decision to refrain from shaking hands was taken to show solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the armed forces.
But things escalated in the final. What started with India’s refusal to shake hands to show solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the armed forces descended into a full-blown mock match in the summit clash.
The presentation ceremony was delayed by an hour as the champions did not lay their hands on the trophy. PCB chief and ACC chairperson Naqvi had walked away with it.
New twist in the ICC meeting in Dubai
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi was heckled at the ICC meeting in Dubai. A diplomatic face-off erupted over the Asia Cup trophy.
“Mohsin Naqvi Cornered At ICC Meet In Dubai; Asia Cup Trophy Dispute Turns Into Diplomatic Face-Off.”
This is because bilateral cricket between the two countries is suspended. Interactions, and this kind of interaction, take place only at ICC and ACC events.
Tension was prevalent throughout the tournament. India won the final by 5 wickets. This pattern continues in the Rising Stars, which is causing cricket fans to reflect.
During the match, the players focused on the game. Pakistan started with the bowling, but India A tried to score heavily.
This event is a big opportunity for young players, but the game of diplomacy continued in the background.
