India Bars Players from Interacting with Pakistani Net Bowlers Amid Ongoing Tensions

Dubai — Tensions between the Indian and Pakistani cricket contingents appear to be deepening, as sources confirm that India’s team management has issued instructions preventing its players from interacting with Pakistani net bowlers during training sessions at the ICC Academy.

This internal directive comes on the heels of the Asia Cup 2025 handshake controversy, where several players from both sides skipped the traditional post-match handshake, fueling speculation of rising political undertones within the tournament.

While Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was seen shaking hands with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the trophy ceremony, it has since been reported that team management is taking a stricter stance behind the scenes.

To ensure compliance, net bowlers — many of whom are local Pakistani talents — are now required to surrender their mobile phones before practice sessions begin. This measure is reportedly aimed at avoiding photo leaks, unwanted interactions, or any potential controversies that could arise from informal exchanges between players and net bowlers.

This development reflects ongoing political and cricketing sensitivities between the two nations, especially in high-stakes tournaments. While both cricket boards have attempted to maintain focus on the sport, gestures like these indicate growing discomfort and distrust at the administrative level.

Read more: Asia Cup 2025: ICC rejects PCB’s demand to remove match referee Pycroft

Neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nor the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made an official statement regarding this directive at the time of reporting.

As the Asia Cup 2025 progresses, players and fans alike will be watching closely — not just for the action on the field, but for the diplomatic undertones shaping one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries