U19 Asia Cup 2025: India U19 avoid handshake with Pakistan counterparts

Pakistan U19 won the toss and opted to bowl first against India U19 in Dubai.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack during the Asia Cup 2025, India’s U19 team persisted in adopting the senior team’s no-handshake policy. At the toss during the match at the ICC Cricket Academy on Sunday, December 14, captain Ayush Mhatre declined to shake hands with Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf.

India and Pakistan will play their second U19 Asia Cup Group A encounter. The tournament began with spectacular wins for both sides. India defeated the United Arab Emirates by a margin of 234 runs, while Pakistan defeated Malaysia by an even greater margin of 297 runs, setting up a much-awaited match between the two rivals.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) urged India to abandon its no-handshake policy prior to the major U19 match between India and Pakistan, according to a PTI report. The ICC believed that political matters should not affect youth cricket.

ICC urged India to reconsider no handshake policy, keep politics aside

In support of the Indian Army and the victims of the Pahalgam terror assault, India implemented a no-handshake policy at the senior Asia Cup in Dubai. Later, when India faced Pakistan in the Rising Stars Asia Cup and the Women’s ODI World Cup, the same strategy was used.

The ICC expressed its opinions without pressuring India to make any changes. Notably, the BCCI had the last say. The only requirement was that if India decided to stick with the policy, the match referee had to be notified in advance.

India U19 captain refuses to shake hands with Pakistan U19 captain at toss

During the U19 Asia Cup match in Dubai, India’s refusal to shake hands was shown once more as Ayush Mhatre declined to shake hands with Pakistan captain Farhan Yousuf during the toss.

Instead of exchanging greetings as is customary, both captains immediately went to their broadcast responsibilities after the delayed toss. Following Yousuf’s decision to bowl, the two captains avoided eye contact, spoke to the presenter very briefly, and then left.

“We will bowl first. There is moisture on the pitch, and we want to utilise the opportunity. It is a normal game for me, so there is no pressure. I trust my bowlers. We want to restrict India to 200 runs,” Farhan Yousaf said.

“We would have bowled first because of the moisture. We will have to stick to our plans and bat well. We are confident, having won the match comfortably. It is a normal match for us as we have played enough cricket,” Ayush Mhatre said.

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