ICC warns against politics as India vs Pakistan rivalry set to ignite Under-19 Asia Cup 2025

The Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 is all set to get underway on Friday, December 12, and the spotlight is firmly on India as they aim to claim another title. Apart from that, the India vs Pakistan rivalry is all set to once again take the center stage in the upcoming junior subcontinental tournament.

The India U-19 team enters the Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 as one of the favorites, thanks to the presence of young stars like captain Ayush Mhatre and the explosive opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi. They have been grouped alongside Pakistan, the UAE, and Malaysia. On the other hand, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal are placed in Group B.

ICC steps in ahead of high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash at U-19 Asia Cup 2025

The most talked-about match will undoubtedly be India vs Pakistan, which is scheduled for December 14 at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. The India vs Pakistan fixture has always carried extra attention because of the intense rivalry between the two nations.

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This match is already drawing attention for the controversy surrounding the on-field drama that unfolded in the past events. In recent tournaments, including the Senior Men’s Asia Cup 2025, the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, and the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025, Indian teams have refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts.

Even they avoided having any exchange with Pakistanis. This stance has been taken as a mark of solidarity with the Indian army and to honor the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year. This trend is likely to continue in the U-19 Asia Cup 2025 during the India vs Pakistan clash, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) has now stepped in to avoid the controversy.

ICC Orders India and Pakistan U-19 players to shake hands at Under-19 Asia Cup 2025

The ICC has ordered players from both countries to keep the political differences aside and follow standard sportsmanship protocols by shaking hands after the game in the tournament. The governing body hopes that the Under-19 Asia Cup will be focused purely on cricket.

The ICC has asked the BCCI to ensure that Indian players do not avoid shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the Under-19 Asia Cup match.

However, a BCCI official revealed that the players have not been given any specific instructions, but they have communicated with team manager Anand Datar and head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar on how to handle the situation.

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Is BCCI preparing for another India vs Pakistan controversy?

A BCCI official close to the development was quoted as saying by PTI on the condition of anonymity, “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 the front seat when it comes to junior cricket. So, it is a case of both bad optics and public sentiment.”