The first clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup turned out to be quite thrilling. India convincingly defeated Pakistan, but what caught everyone’s attention were the unusual scenes during the toss and after the match. Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha. A similar situation unfolded after the match, as no Indian player or team member shook hands with the opposition.

Later, Suryakumar reacted, stating that his team had come only to play and had given Pakistan a fitting reply. He added, "Some things in life are above the game." He also expressed solidarity with the families of the Pahalgam victims and dedicated the victory to the Indian Army for "Operation Sindoor."

Following this conduct, Pakistan expressed strong displeasure. Team manager Naveed Akhtar lodged a complaint with the match referee against the Indian side, demanding action.

Such situations have also been witnessed in other sports, raising the question of whether the ICC has a clear rule on this. The International Cricket Council (ICC) does not mandate handshakes in its regulations. Therefore, suspensions or fines are not automatically applicable. However, if a player deliberately refuses to shake hands, it may be considered a violation of "the spirit of the game" under Article 2.1.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

Such an offense can be classified under Level-1 or Level-2. Under Level-1, the player may receive a warning or a fine of up to $2000, while under Level-2, a 100% match fee fine may be imposed. Furthermore, if a player faces four such proven charges within two years, they may face suspension along with stricter action.