• India secured a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup match.
• No post-match handshake occurred, as Indian players refused to follow the tradition.
• The incident has drawn criticism and protests from the Pakistan team and officials.

The highly anticipated Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan ended with significant controversy after Indian players opted not to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. India won the match by seven wickets, marking the first clash since a deadly military confrontation in May which escalated tensions between the nations. According to BBC, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav dedicated their victory to the armed forces affected by the recent conflict, articulating that "a few things in life are above sportsman’s spirit."

The political backdrop heavily influenced the match atmosphere, as the Indian government initially debated whether to participate in the fixture. Yadav emphasized their alignment with government sentiments, treating the game as a form of national pride. In contrast, Pakistani head coach Mike Hesson expressed disappointment over the handshake incident, indicating they were ready for the customary gesture at the match's conclusion, according to TRT Global and Al Jazeera.

While the match proceeded without any notable on-field incidents, the absence of handshakes drew particular ire. According to multiple reports, including Reuters, the Pakistan Cricket Board lodged a formal complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft for not enforcing handshake protocols. Hesson noted, "We sort of went over there to shake hands, and they'd already gone into the changing room," highlighting the disappointment surrounding the conclusion of the match.

Moreover, the situation escalated with Pakistani captain Salman Agha's refusal to attend the post-match presentation ceremony as a demonstration of protest against India’s actions. Hesson remarked that Agha's absence was a direct result of the failure to uphold sportsmanship values, as reported by both Reuters and TRT Global.

The match's outcome did not only signify a sporting victory for India; it further fueled discussions on the intersection of sports and politics between India and Pakistan. As tensions remain high, it’s expected that if the teams progress in the tournament, they may face each other again in the ensuing weeks, as noted in reports from BBC and Al Jazeera.