Amid the general feud between Indian and Pakistani players on the cricket field, and as per the instructions from the two boards, when players are avoiding any friendly conduct, one of the Indian Under-19 players won hearts with a heartwarming gesture, proving that sportsmanship exists even amid high-stakes contests.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan on the cricket field has been a saga ever since the two teams started playing the game. However, in the history of the sport, the rivalry had never been affected by political agendas before 2025.
A terrorist attack on the Indian valley, which killed many innocent civilians, has led the Indian team to indulge in unfriendly conduct during matches against Pakistan.
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This started with the Asia Cup, where Indian players refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players after having met them thrice in the tournament. This continued in the ICC Women’s World Cup as well and then in the Rising Stars Men’s Asia Cup. However, the Under-19 Men’s Asia Cup seems to be an exception in the tale.
Indian Under-19 player wins hearts with heartwarming gesture
Handshakes are too diplomatic, but tying a fellow cricketer’s shoe is fine.
Wara hypocrisy man… pic.twitter.com/l6jhglaOyM— Hanan (@Maliksahaab_0) December 14, 2025
During the ongoing ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup, India held onto their no-handshake policy against Pakistan during the toss and also in the post-match celebrations, but the game marked an Indian player tying the shoelaces of one of the Pakistan cricketers in a moment of sportsmanship.
During Pakistan’s batting innings, Kishan Kumar Singh, one of the Indian pacers, not only impressed with the ball but also went viral on social media for helping out the Pakistani batter Huzaifa Ahsan, who sought help with his shoelaces as he struggled to fix them on his own.
The moment immediately went viral over the internet, and several Pakistani fans have praised the young Indian’s efforts. Though this highlighted the sportsmanship in the game, it heavily contrasted the conduct of the Indian team during the start of the match and the post-match formalities.
However, such incidents are not new between the players from both nations; on several previous instances, the likes of Virat Kohli and Yuzvendra Chahal have been seen tying laces for Pakistani players, while several Pakistani cricketers like Shadab Khan and Haider Ali were also seen doing it for the Indian batters. However, this healthy and positive attitude has now turned hostile.
India Under-19 trashed Pakistan Under-19 in a one-sided contest
Speaking of the game, India totally thrashed their longtime rivals, as they beat Pakistan in a one-sided contest by 90 runs. Batting first, India could post a target of 241, after they were bowled out for 240 runs without completing their quota of 50 overs.
Skipper Ayush Mhatre gave India the quick start they needed, while Aaron George built another crucial partnership alongside middle-order batters Abhigyan Kundu and Kanishk Chouhan. With George’s impressive 85 and Chouhan’s 46, India could avoid an early collapse.
In return, the Pakistan U-19 side was bowled out for 150 runs in just 41.2 balls, as Huzaifa Ahsan fought a lone battle and stood tall with 70 runs. Indian bowlers Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan picked 3 wickets each, while Kishan Kumar Singh picked two wickets as well.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi does the trick with the ball after missing out with the bat
The young and sensational batter did not have the finest of outings with the bat, as he was cheaply dismissed for just 5 runs after having scored a terrific hundred in the previous game. Suryavanshi returned after an easy return catch to the bowler.
However, the 14-year-old could not be kept out of the game. When the Pakistan team started to get some hold of their innings with skipper Farhan Yousaf and Huzaifa Ahsan batting alongside in a partnership, Suryavanshi provided the breakthrough with the ball.
He dismissed the Pakistan skipper, who was caught by the substitute fielder on the ground, and Pakistan’s hopes of a win came crumbling down.
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