DUBAI (Kashmir English): Indian cricketers participating in the Asia Cup kept a noticeable distance from Pakistani net bowlers during their practice sessions at Dubai’s ICC Academy on Tuesday, as handshake snub controversy deepens.
The Indian players avoided photos with Pakistani men in line with strict instructions from team management, sources said.
Backlash from Indian media
The gesture comes after Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav shook hands with Asian Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi at the Asia Cup trophy unveiling, prompting a furious backlash from Indian media and social platforms.
At the ICC Academy, net bowlers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and India regularly assist teams during practice. In the past, it was common for these bowlers to take photos with star players. However, this time the Indian team management barred any such interactions.
The sources confirmed that Indian players were told not to engage in casual conversations or take photographs with Pakistani net bowlers.
To enforce this, net bowlers were asked to hand over their mobile phones before practice sessions, which are only returned once training session expired.
The move reflects political pressure and growing “war hysteria” back home in India, which is now shaping the behaviour of players on the field.
