Politics Poison the Pitch: India-Pakistan Cricket Match Marred by Forced Snub

In what should have been a pure contest of skill on the cricket field, political tensions between India and Pakistan instead stole the spotlight during their Asia Cup match in Dubai. Rather than embodying the spirit of friendly competition, the game was overshadowed by a controversial decision to prohibit the customary handshake between captains before the toss – a move that echoes far beyond cricket. The match referee, appointed by international cricket authorities, instructed Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands. The Pakistan Cricket Board swiftly condemned this directive as “against sportsmanship” and...