In a heartening act of sportsmanship, the under-21 hockey teams of India and Pakistan shared high-fives before their Sultan of Johor Cup match in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on October 14. Following the playing of both countries’ national anthems, the players exchanged greetings, setting a friendly atmosphere for the anticipated game. This gesture stood out amidst recent strained sporting relations between the two nations.
This display of goodwill came shortly after instances where the Indian and Pakistani men’s and women’s cricket teams refrained from handshakes during their matches due to escalating tensions. During the Asia Cup, the Indian men’s team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, opted out of the traditional handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. Similarly, the women’s teams skipped pre- and post-match pleasantries during their Women’s World Cup encounter in Colombo.
The cordial exchange at the Sultan of Johor Cup followed a directive from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), instructing its players to maintain composure and avoid unnecessary confrontations with the Indian team. According to a PHF official, players were advised to ignore any lack of handshakes from the Indian side and abstain from emotional conflicts during the game.
Meanwhile, Pakistan had previously pulled out of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir due to scheduling and logistical issues. Their participation in the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, where India and Pakistan are in the same group, remains uncertain.
Contrasting the sportsmanship in hockey, tensions escalated during the men’s Asia Cup cricket tournament in the UAE. Off-field drama ensued with India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan during the coin toss and post-match, sparking outrage in Pakistan. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav explained that the gesture was a tribute to Pahalgam terror attack victims and the Indian armed forces, but it faced criticism for alleged political motivations.
Pakistan lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Indian players, while India filed complaints against Pakistani players for provocative gestures during the match. The situation reached a peak during the trophy presentation ceremony, where Indian players declined to accept the trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also Pakistan’s interior minister, leading to a delayed and incomplete ceremony. The trophy was removed without a formal handover, leaving the Indian team without their celebratory moment.