No Handshake Ind vs Pak: Is it mandatory for players to shake hands after a match? Former umpire clarifies everything.

Former international umpire Anil Chaudhary has claimed that the recent controversy surrounding the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the Asia Cup 2025 is merely a distraction from the defeat against India.

What the former umpire said about the no-handshake India vs. Pakistan match

The Indian team defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets on September 14th in the Asia Cup 2025. After the match, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dubey headed straight to the dressing room without shaking hands with the Pakistani players.

The Pakistan National Cricket Team was displeased with their behavior, and the PCB filed a complaint with the ICC. Match referee Andy Pycroft has also been targeted in the no-handshake controversy, and the PCB even threatened a boycott.

Despite all this, the Pakistan team played the match against the UAE, winning and securing a place in the Super Four. The no-handshake issue remains unresolved. Meanwhile, everyone is questioning whether it is mandatory for players to shake hands after a match (under ICC Rules on Handshake). Former umpire Anil Chaudhary answered this question.

Speaking to news agency ANI, former umpire Anil Chaudhary (Anil Chaudhary latest news) said,

"I think this was part of a ploy to turn things around after losing the match. There's no such thing written in the rulebook. I think the handshake controversy you're referring to started 15-20 years ago, when captains would shake hands first. I think this was created unnecessarily, and there's no need. I think even those who complained knew that doing this on the field wouldn't change anything. I don't know who in the administration did this, but they knew it wouldn't change anything."

It's worth noting that Pakistan canceled the press conference before the match against the UAE, although they continued with practice sessions. Regarding this, Anil Chaudhary said that all this was nonsense. Andy Pycroft is a former ICC Elite Panel referee. He is a well-known Zimbabwean cricketer with a good track record.

No Handshake: What does the ICC rule say?

Clause 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct states,

"This clause covers all minor behaviour that is contrary to the spirit of the game and is not specifically defined elsewhere in this Code. The spirit of the game is defined in the preamble to the Laws of Cricket, which specifically includes (a) respect for the role of the umpire and (b) respect for the game and its traditions."