The ICC has reportedly requested that the BCCI ensure the India and Pakistan U-19 teams follow normal handshake protocol during the match to avoid unnecessary controversy.
The ICC has stepped in ahead of the India–Pakistan match at the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup 2025, urging both boards to maintain standard post-match handshake protocols and keep political tensions away from junior cricket. India, led by Ayush Mhatre, will face Pakistan on December 14 in Dubai.
The issue resurfaced after the senior Asia Cup earlier this year, where India avoided handshakes with Pakistan as a symbolic response to the May 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. With the gesture drawing strong public attention, the ICC has advised the BCCI to avoid repeating the stance at the U-19 level. ICC has also reminded officials that any changes must be reported to the match referee.
“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 the Pakistan team then the match referee will have to be informed in advance. 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,” PTI quoted a BCCI official as saying.
U-19 Asia Cup Begins December 12
The debate over handshakes came up after India informed match referee Andy Pycroft during the Asia Cup group stage that they would not participate in the post-match gesture with Pakistan. The stance appeared again at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 and the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup.
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The BCCI will now decide how the U-19 side proceeds, with manager Anand Datar and head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar reviewing the matter before the December 14 match. The U-19 Asia Cup begins on December 12, and India and Pakistan are expected to progress from Group A.
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