India, Sept. 18 -- Drama in Asia Cup shows how athletes become unwilling symbols of diplomacy;Linking sports to politics can unfairly subject them to criticism for choices not of their making

The Asia Cup clash between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday was less about runs and wickets and more about a storm brewing off the field. The start was delayed by nearly an hour after Pakistan refused to take the field, demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft.

Their anger stemmed from the India-Pakistan encounter on September 14, when Indian players avoided shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts before and after the match. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who refused to shake hands with Pakistan's Salman Ali Agh...