ICC wants India-Pakistan to end handshake boycott at U19 Asia Cup; BCCI gives instructions: Report

ICC is reportedly against a handshake boycott between India and Pakistan players in age-group cricket and as a result we can see things taking a turn in the U19 Asia Cup2 025.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be in focus for India in U19 Asia Cup 2025. Image: PTI

FirstCricket Staff|Dec 12, 2025, 10:47:23 IST

The International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly wants the Under-19 Indian cricket team to keep politics out of the sport and follow normal protocols as they get ready to face Pakistan in the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2025. The India vs Pakistan match will be played on 14 December at the ICC Academy Ground, Dubai.

India did not shake hands with Pakistan players during the Asia Cup 2025, which was played after the Pahalgam terror attack. The boycott was done to showcase solidarity with the Indian armed forces. The women's team continued the same policy in the ICC ODI World Cup. Things didn't even change during the Rising Stars Asia Cup T20.

ICC wants India to end handshake boycott vs Pakistan

But they could in the ongoing 50-over U19 Asia Cup, which began for India on Friday with a match vs the United Arab Emirates. According to news agency PTI, ICC wants India to end the handshake boycott. The final decision, however, is with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the players.

The BCCI has informed team manager Anand Datar that if the players decide to boycott handshakes with Pakistan players, then the match referee should be informed in advance.

"The boys haven't been told anything. But obviously BCCI has given explicit instructions to its manager Anand Datar. Now if Indian boys don't shake hands with Pakistan team then match referee will have to be informed in advance," a BCCI official told PTI.

"We know for a fact that ICC doesn't want politics to take front seat when it comes to junior cricket. So it is a case of both bad optics and public sentiment."

Meanwhile, India opener Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who recently broke records in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, would be in focus as India look to clinch the Asia U19 tournament.

Besides, Pakistan, India have the UAE and Malaysia are the other teams in their Group A. Reaching the semi-finals should not be a problem for them.

Rohit Sharma finally responds to growing speculation over his India future: 'Let the noise be there'

India ODI opener Rohit Sharma silenced speculation about his future with a record‑breaking performance at Lord’s Cricket Ground. HE became the first Indian cricketer to score an ODI century at the iconic venue.

2 min read

Shubman Gill pins India's loss on death-over lapses after England run riot: 'We gave away lot of runs'

India ODI captain Shubman Gill rued over the team's shortcomings in the third match against England. India suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Three Lions in the one-day series.

1 min read

Rohit shines with historic Lord's ton, but England seal series 2-1

With his back against the wall and an illustrious career on the line, Rohit Sharma silenced his critics the only way he can, smashing one of his most celebrated centuries in recent memory, though it wasn't enough to prevent a 27run defeat in the third ODI against England, as India surrendered the series 12 here Sunday

4 min read

India and England players don black armbands, observe minute's silence at Lord's to honour Sir Garfield Sobers

Players of India and England wore black armbands and held a minute's silence at Lord’s Cricket Ground ahead of the third ODI to honour legendary West Indies all‑rounder Sir Garfield Sobers.

1 min read

India coach shrugs off Rohit Sharma form woes amid speculation on ODI future: 'He brings that calmness'

India bowling coach Morne Morkel shrugged off any form-related concern over former India his captain Rohit Sharma after he failed to put up impactful knocks in past two matches.