DUBAI: India and Pakistan clash again in the Asia Cup on Sunday, renewing one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries a week after their last match was overshadowed by a handshake row.
India won the September 14 group match by seven wickets in Dubai and afterwards refused to shake hands with their opponents, angering Pakistan.
It was the first meeting between the neighbors since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.
The Pakistan Cricket Board lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft had told skipper Salman Agha not to approach Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav for a handshake at the toss.
The PCB demanded Pycroft be removed from their matches and threatened to withdraw from the eight-team Twenty20 competition.
Their last group game was held up for an hour before the PCB said Pycroft had apologized and the match, with the Zimbabwean in charge, eventually went ahead.
Pakistan beat hosts the United Arab Emirates to qualify for the next stage, the Super Fours, and set up another meeting with India in Dubai.
Indian media has reported that the team plans to stick to its no-handshake policy for Sunday’s clash.
India spinner Kuldeep Yadav sought to defuse the controversy.
“When you step onto the field it’s just a batter in front of you. I have always approached it this way against Pakistan,” he said ahead of India’s last group game, against Oman on Friday.
Agha also stuck to sport.
“If we play good cricket like we have played in the last few months I think we’ll be good against any side,” the Pakistan captain told reporters.
Simmering tensions
Because of fraught political ties, nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan only meet at neutral venues during multi-team tournaments.
Tensions soared ahead of the Asia Cup after the two countries engaged in their worst conflict since 1999.
The hostilities in May left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire.
The conflict was triggered by an April attack on civilians in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing, a charge Islamabad denies.
India resisted calls to boycott the first Pakistan match.
A potential third India-Pakistan showdown looms if both sides qualify for the final on September 28 in Dubai.
India lifted the Asia Cup in its last, 50-over edition and are favorites to retain the crown.
India and Pakistan advanced to the next stage from Group A while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh qualified from Group B.
Sri Lanka face Bangladesh on Saturday in the first Super Fours fixture.
Sri Lanka, unbeaten so far, look dangerous while Bangladesh carry the underdog tag under skipper Litton Das.
Along with regional bragging rights, the Asia Cup serves as build-up toward the T20 World Cup in February-March in India and Sri Lanka.
India and Pakistan meet again at Asia Cup after handshake row
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India and Pakistan meet again at Asia Cup after handshake row
- India won the September 14 group match by seven wickets in Dubai
- They afterwards refused to shake hands with their opponents, angering Pakistan
Police raid Argentine soccer clubs and AFA as part of investigation into alleged money laundering
- The raids were part of a judicial investigation into alleged ties to financial services company Sur Finanzas
- The official said the raided clubs included leading teams Independiente, Racing and San Lorenzo, as well as Barracas Central
BUENOS AIRES: Federal police in Argentina carried out multiple raids Tuesday on the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and at least 17 soccer clubs.
The raids were part of a judicial investigation into alleged ties to financial services company Sur Finanzas, which is under investigation for alleged money laundering and tax evasion. Ordered by federal judge Luis Armella, the more than 30 raids were conducted simultaneously on first and second division clubs and the AFA headquarters in the Argentine capital.
Sur Finanzas, owned by Ariel Vallejo, sponsors AFA tournaments and several first and second division clubs.
A judicial official with access to the case told The Associated Press that police officers are searching for contracts signed by the clubs with the financial firm and other documentation stored on electronic devices. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
The official said the raided clubs included leading teams Independiente, Racing and San Lorenzo, as well as Barracas Central, which were founded by Matias Tapia, a son of AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia.
The courts are investigating a complaint filed by the Customs Revenue and Control Agency (ARCA) against Sur Finanzas.
According to the complaint obtained by the AP, the alleged illicit transactions total 818 billion pesos, approximately $560 million.
Police also raided the facilities that the AFA owns in Ezeiza — about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Buenos Aires — where the national team trains.
Television channels broadcast images of police inside the offices of the sports organization’s headquarters.
Excursionistas, a club in the third division, distanced themself from Sur Finanzas.
“The club do not maintain any type of corporate, financial, or administrative relationship with the company under investigation,” stated a message signed by the board of directors and posted on social media.
