India, Sept. 15 -- An India-Pakistan cricket match is always a big event, but the Asia Cup 2025 clash between the two teams was missing its usual hype. The unusual sight of empty seats at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium - where the match was played - stood as evidence of lingering hostility between the two countries after the Pahalgam terror attack in April.

Despite calls for a boycott and heightened tensions following India's 'Operation Sindoor' against cross-border terror bases in May, the match went ahead as scheduled.

On the field, India sealed a seven-wicket win, but the contest ended on a tense note when Indian players refused the customary handshake with their counterparts from Pakistan after a collective decision endorse...