India and Pakistan meet again at Asia Cup after handshake row
DUBAI: India and Pakistan clash again in the Asia Cup on Sunday, renewing one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries a week after their last match was overshadowed by a handshake row.India won the September 14 group match by seven wickets in Dubai and afterwards refused to shake hands with their opponents, angering Pakistan.It was the first meeting between the neighbors since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.The Pakistan Cricket Board lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft had told skipper Salman Agha not to approach Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav for a handshake at the toss.The PCB demanded Pycroft be removed from their matches and threatened to withdraw from the eight-team Twenty20 competition.Their last group game was held up for an hour before the PCB said Pycroft had apologized and the match, with the Zimbabwean in charge, eventually went ahead.Pakistan beat hosts the United Arab Emirates to qualify for the next stage, the Super Fours, and set up another meeting with India in Dubai.Indian media has reported that the team plans to stick to its no-handshake policy for Sunday’s clash.India spinner Kuldeep Yadav sought to defuse the controversy.“When you step onto the field it’s just a batter in front of you.
