India, Sept. 17 -- It's been a difficult two-plus days on and off the field for Pakistan cricket, the off-field developments helping mask a timid, underwhelming display against India and devolving into a show of petulance and one-upmanship that has deprived them of their place on the moral high horse.

From their perspective, Pakistan had every reason to be 'disappointed', as coach Mike Hesson put it, at India's refusal to shake hands after the T20 Asia Cup Group A fixture on Sunday. Pakistan should have seen it coming, given that they are the ones who have alleged that match referee Andy Pycroft instructed the captains, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha, not to greet each other at the toss. Pakistan still lined up for the handshake conven...