Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav sidestepped the no-handshake issue ahead of the Asia Cup rematch against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, choosing to focus instead on the bat and ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Group A clash between the fierce rivals last Sunday ended on a bitter note when Indian players refused to shake hands with their opponents.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was the first meeting between the regional neighbours since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft as match referee for the must-win group game against the hosts. Zimbabwean Pycroft oversaw that clash last Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan's last group game against the United Arab Emirates was delayed for an hour due to the stand-off before the matter was resolved. The PCB claimed Pycroft apologised.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pycroft remained the match referee for Wednesday's game and is still scheduled to officiate on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Indian media has reported that the team plans to stick to its no-handshake policy for Sunday's clash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Suryakumar changed the subject when asked about the handshake issue and Pycroft's presence, saying "It will be a good contest between the ball and the bat".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He added: "Close your room, switch off your phone and sleep. I think that's the best thing to shut the noise. It's easy to say, but sometimes it is difficult."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India won all three of their group games, edging out a brave Oman by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi on Friday as well as beating Pakistan by seven and the UAE by nine wickets respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Suryakumar praised minnows Oman, appearing in the Asia Cup for the first time, for putting up a good fight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I feel they played a good brand of cricket," he said of a team who ended on 167-4 in reply to India's 188-8.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"They batted very well but we also managed to give a good outing to our players."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Meanwhile, Pakistan cancelled its pre-match press conference, apparently to avoid having to discuss the handshakes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Pakistan will not be holding their pre-match press conference today," said a message from the Asian Cricket Council.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This is the second consecutive time that Pakistan has cancelled their press conference following the handshake incident.<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IND-vs-PAK-Toss-(2)2.jpg", "alt_img": "Suryakumar Yadav Sidesteps Handshake Issue Ahead Of India-Pakistan Rematch", "alt_title": "Suryakumar Yadav Sidesteps Handshake Issue Ahead Of India-Pakistan Rematch", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Suryakumar Yadav Sidesteps Handshake Issue Ahead Of India-Pakistan Rematch On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav sidestepped the no-handshake issue ahead of the Asia Cup rematch against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday,, Suryakumar Yadav Sidesteps Handshake Issue Ahead Of India-Pakistan Rematch.", "seo_keywords": "Suryakumar Yadav, India Vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025", "tag": null, "tagging": "Suryakumar Yadav,India Vs Pakistan,Asia Cup 2025,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "suryakumar-yadav-sidesteps-handshake-issue-ahead-of-india-pakistan-rematch", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "3236", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2025-09-21 08:33:45", "updated": "2025-09-21 08:33:45", "img_from": "Image Source: AFP", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Suryakumar Yadav, India Vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "1", "posted_by": "13", "jio_date": "2025-09-21 08:33:45", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": "Select", "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/suryakumar-yadav-sidesteps-handshake-issue-ahead-of-india-pakistan-rematch-177923" }