India’s Jasprit Bumrah celebrates with teammates after taking a wicket throughout a match on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Sept 14, 2025. — Reuters
DUBAI: Indian cricketers taking part within the Asia Cup are preserving a noticeable distance from Pakistani web bowlers throughout their follow periods at Dubai’s ICC Academy, following strict directions from staff administration, sources stated on Tuesday.
The change comes after a latest controversy when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav shook fingers with Asian Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the Asia Cup trophy unveiling. The picture went viral, prompting a livid backlash from Indian media and social platforms, placing the staff below stress.
On the ICC Academy, web bowlers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India recurrently help groups throughout follow. Up to now, it was widespread for these bowlers to take photographs with star gamers, together with Virat Kohli. Nevertheless, this time the Indian staff administration has barred any such interactions.
The sources confirmed that Indian gamers have been informed to not interact in informal conversations or take pictures with Pakistani web bowlers. To implement this, web bowlers are requested handy over their cell phones earlier than follow periods, that are solely returned as soon as coaching ends.
Analysts say the transfer displays political stress and rising “war hysteria” again residence in India, which is now shaping the behaviour of gamers on the sphere. They argue that what was as soon as a impartial and pleasant surroundings at ICC Academy has been overshadowed by tensions, limiting the gamers’ freedom to practise and work together brazenly.
