Pakistan Hockey issues warning ahead of clash with India after Asia Cup 2025 fiasco

India-Pakistan match in the ongoing Sultan of Johor Cup will be played in Malaysia

Pakistan Hockey Federation has advised its national team to avoid any clashes with Indian players in the Sultan of Johor Cup match scheduled to be played in Malaysia on Tuesday (October 14). This advice was issued after the recent 2025 Asia Cup debacle where the Indian cricket team avoided any interaction and handshake with the Pakistan side, leading to a huge controversy. Later, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also demanded the removal of the match referee from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

In fact, in the next Asian Cup match, there was an intense verbal altercation between the two sides during the match. The drama continued even after the tournament ended; Team India refused to accept the 2025 Asian Cup trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the PCB and Pakistan’s Home Minister.

Will the Indian hockey team continue to follow the ‘no handshake’ policy?

The same gesture is expected from the Indian hockey team on October 14. A senior official from the Pakistan Hockey Federation even said that the players should be mentally prepared for the ‘no handshake’ policy of the Indian side.

”The players were told that if the Indian players did not shake hands before or after the match, they should ignore the gesture and move on. They were also told to avoid any emotional discussion or signs during the game,” the PHF official was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Recently, Pakistan did not send its national team to the Asia Cup tournament held in Rajgir, Bihar, after which Bangladesh was included instead.