Indian Sports News
India vs PakistanPakistan Hockey FederationSultan Of Johor Cup

IND-PAK Hockey: PHF Warns Team on Handshakes; Cites Cricket Snub After ‘Operation Sindoor’

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 3 days ago | Oct 13, 2025 08:27 pm IST
IND-PAK Hockey: PHF Warns Team on Handshakes; Cites Cricket Snub After 'Operation Sindoor'

Don’t React If They Don’t Shake Hands: Pakistan Hockey’s Urgent Warning to Junior Team Ahead of India Showdown

The India-Pakistan rivalry just spilled over from the cricket pitch to the hockey field. In a stunning move on October 13, 2025, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) issued a formal warning to its junior national team. The message? Be prepared for the Indian team to refuse handshakes at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, and whatever you do, don’t react.

Key Takeaways

  • The PHF has instructed its junior hockey team to ignore any potential handshake snubs from the Indian team.
  • This follows multiple handshake controversies in India-Pakistan cricket matches, including the Asia Cup 2025 final.
  • The tension is linked to India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ following a terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025.
  • Pakistan has previously lodged formal protests with the ACC and ICC over the cricket incidents.
  • The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan hockey match is set for Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

What’s Driving This Warning?

Look, this didn’t come out of nowhere. The PHF is trying to get ahead of a problem that has been plaguing India-Pakistan sports for months. A senior PHF official made it crystal clear, telling players to “just ignore the gesture” and move on if their Indian counterparts refuse to shake hands. They’ve been explicitly told to “avoid any emotional tussles or signs during the game.”

The root of this tension goes back to the cricket field. During the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian cricket team repeatedly refused to shake hands with Pakistani players. It even happened in the final in Dubai on September 28. This wasn’t a random act. It was reportedly a direct response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in April 2025, which led to India’s “Operation Sindoor.”

A Pattern of Political Statements

Yeah, this has become a recurring theme. The handshake snub wasn’t a one-off. It also happened during a recent Women’s World Cup cricket match between the two nations in Colombo. For many, the pre-game handshake is a symbol of sportsmanship. But now, it’s turned into a political statement.

Pakistan didn’t take the cricket incidents lightly. They lodged formal complaints with both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), protesting the gesture. But with this new directive, the hockey federation seems to be taking a different approach. Instead of protesting after the fact, they’re trying to prevent any on-field escalation before it even begins.

Boosting Morale Amidst the Drama

But honestly, it’s not all about damage control. The PHF is also trying to keep its players focused. Just recently, on October 9, the federation announced it had cleared all outstanding financial dues for its players and officials across all national teams. It’s a huge move aimed at boosting morale and ensuring the players can concentrate on one thing: playing hockey.

So, as the junior teams prepare to face off in Johar Bahru, Malaysia, on Tuesday, October 14, the spotlight isn’t just on their skills. It’s on their conduct. Will sportsmanship win, or will political tensions dictate the game’s atmosphere? What do you think should happen on the field?