Overview

• Players from both sides exchanged high-fives before the Sultan of Johor Cup clash in Johor Bahru despite widespread expectations of a snub.
• The under-21 match ended 3-3, with India coached by PR Sreejesh; India sit second in the group and Pakistan third, according to match reports.
• Before the fixture, the Pakistan Hockey Federation instructed its team to ignore any refusal to shake hands and to avoid emotional confrontations.
• The cooperative gesture contrasted with the Asia Cup in cricket, where India refused handshakes with Pakistan, leading the PCB to file protests with the ACC and ICC after recent cross-border tensions.
• International reaction has grown, as Australian players including Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood mocked India’s stance in a Kayo Sports video ahead of their upcoming white-ball series.