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After the drama in the recently ended Cricket Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has asked its players to avoid any altercation with the Indian players if they refused to shake hands with them in the upcoming Sultan of Johor Cup. The arch-rivals will face each other in Malaysia on Tuesday, October 14. The statement from the PHF comes after the controversy during the post-match presentation of the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan in Dubai on September 28.
Notably, India and Pakistan faced each other three times during the Asia Cup 2025 including, group stage, Super 4s and the final with India winning on all three occasions. However, all three matches were filled with controversies from no hand shakes by India to provocative gestures by the Pakistani players. Talking about the final, the Indian team refused to collect the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi after winning the tournament. After that, Naqvi left the stage with the trophy.
Just ignore and move one: Pakistan Hockey Federation instructs players ahead of clash vs India
Now, India and Pakistan are set to face each other again on the sports field in the upcoming Sultan of Johor Cup. Now, it is almost likely that the Indian Hockey players will not shake hands with the Pakistani players during the match. However, Pakistan Hockey Federation instructed its players to not get involved in any controversy and ignore even if Indian players don’t shake hands with them.
“The players have been told that if the Indian players don’t shake hands before or after the match, just ignore the gesture and move on. They have also been told to avoid any emotional tussles or signs during the game," an PHF official reportedly told PTI.
