Dubai: The highly anticipated Group A clash between arch-rivals India U19 and Pakistan U19 at the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup on Sunday, December 14, is being overshadowed by a diplomatic dilemma: the recurring “no handshake” controversy.

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With both teams set to compete at the ICC Academy in Dubai, the focus has shifted from the pitch to the post-match formality, following the precedent set by India’s senior and women’s teams in previous bilateral encounters.

BCCI’s Explicit Directives Create Tense Protocol

Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirm that explicit instructions have been given to the India U19 team management regarding the post-match protocol.

• Managerial Briefing: Team Manager Anand Datar has reportedly been given clear directives on the board’s stance.

• Prior Notification: A senior BCCI official confirmed that if the Indian team chooses to maintain the “no handshake” policy, the match referee must be informed in advance of the fixture.

The previous refusal to exchange handshakes, adopted by India’s senior teams in recent Asia Cup and World Cup matches, was understood to be a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Indian Army and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

ICC Pushes for “Spirit of the Game”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) are keenly watching the situation, reportedly preferring that the protocol of sportsmanship be strictly followed, especially in junior cricket.

“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,” stated a BCCI official, highlighting the pressure from the global governing body to adhere to standard sporting civility.

The potential continuation of the handshake ban at the U19 level poses a complex challenge, placing young athletes in the middle of a delicate political statement versus the expected “spirit of the game” adherence.

Focus on the Cricket: India Enter as Favourites

Despite the off-field controversy, India enters the tournament as overwhelming favorites to top Group A, which also includes the UAE and Malaysia. The Indian squad is headlined by two formidable young batters:

• Captain Ayush Mhatre: Enters the tournament in blistering form, having recently smashed back-to-back centuries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Made domestic cricket records as the youngest player to score a century in SMAT history.

The U19 Asia Cup serves as a critical emotional and physical dress rehearsal for the upcoming U19 World Cup, making the India-Pakistan clash essential for both team’s preparation, regardless of the controversy surrounding the boundary rope.

Match Details

Detail	Information
Fixture	India U19 vs. Pakistan U19 (Group A)
Tournament	ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025
Date	Sunday, December 14, 2025
Venue	ICC Academy Ground, Dubai