Hong Kong Sixes: India and Pakistan Avoid Handshakes Amid Political Tensions
In the recent 2025 Hong Kong Sixes cricket tournament, the Indian team, led by Dinesh Karthik, refused to participate in the customary handshake with Pakistan after a narrow victory. The match was affected by rain, but India managed to maintain composure and secure the win.
Match Summary
- India batted first, scoring 86/4 in six overs.
- Robin Uthappa delivered an explosive performance, scoring 28 runs off 11 balls.
- Pakistan lost by two runs by the DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method.
Continued On-Field Tensions
As seen in recent encounters, players from both teams avoided the traditional handshake after the match. This gesture of avoiding handshakes began during the Asia Cup 2025 and has continued in subsequent games.
A source told Hindustan Times: "There was no chance of a handshake; we will follow whatever has been the norm."
The Indian T20 International team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, also skipped handshakes in all three matches against Pakistan during the 2025 T20 Asia Cup.
Context of the Rivalry
India and Pakistan remain in the same group for this annual six-a-side format and have faced each other multiple times this year. India won all three matches against Pakistan in the 2025 T20 Asia Cup, including the final.
The longstanding cricket rivalry has become more strained this year, characterized by boycott calls, on-field exchanges of harsh words, and complaints filed by both cricket boards. The political tension between the nations intensified following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, adding to the hostility seen on the field.
Key Facts
- The six-a-side tournament matches involve both India and Pakistan in the same group.
- The recent Asia Cup series saw India winning all encounters against Pakistan.
- Political tensions since the Pahalgam terror attack have affected sportsmanship between the teams.
Author’s Summary
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry remains intensely affected by political tensions, reflected in ongoing gestures of avoidance and fierce competition during international tournaments in 2025.