The question dominating headlines ahead of the blockbuster India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup clash in Colombo remains unanswered—will the players shake hands on Sunday? Both team captains kept their cards close to their chest on Saturday, offering cryptic responses when asked about the traditional pre- or post-match handshake.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav brushed aside the speculation with his trademark smile, urging fans and media to wait and focus on the cricket.
“Now wait for 24 hours for that. Why put so much focus on that? We have come to play cricket. We will play good cricket. We will take all those calls later tomorrow. Wait for it. Eat well and go to sleep,” Surya said.
Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha echoed a similar tone, refusing to confirm any decision.
“We will see about it tomorrow,” Agha said during the pre-match press conference in Colombo.
Handshake Tradition Halted Since Asia Cup
India and Pakistan players have reportedly stopped shaking hands since last year’s Asia Cup in Dubai. The move followed heightened tensions after the Pahalgam massacre and the subsequent Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian Armed Forces, which significantly impacted bilateral sporting relations and public sentiment.
Spirit of the Game Must Be Maintained: Agha
Despite the uncertainty, Agha stressed that cricket should always be played in the right spirit, regardless of political or emotional circumstances.
“Cricket should be played in the right spirit. My personal opinion may not matter, but cricket should be played according to how it has always been meant to be played. It’s up to them to decide what to do,” he said.
Indian Camp Cautious Amid Public Sentiment
Sources suggest the mood in the Indian camp ahead of Sunday’s match at the Premadasa Stadium is cautious and reflective rather than aggressive. The final call on the handshake is expected to be taken by senior officials, with players mindful of public sentiment on social media, where emotions remain intense after the Pahalgam attack.
Bangladesh Cricket Chief to Attend High-Profile Match
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul is set to be present in Colombo for the match and is expected to hold informal talks with BCCI officials after recent tensions between the boards.
BCCI president Mithun Manhas, secretary Devajit Saikia, and vice-president Rajeev Shukla are also expected to attend the marquee fixture.
Speaking to Bangladeshi newspaper Pratham Alo, Bulbul said the invitation came from the ICC, which wants representatives from major Asian cricketing nations present at the match.
“The ICC has taken a decision. The major stakeholders of the ICC are these five Asian countries and for the India-Pakistan World Cup match on the 15th, they want representatives of all five Asian countries to be present at the ground together, watch the match together and talk to one another,” he said.
As the cricketing world waits for the highly charged encounter, the handshake debate adds another layer of intrigue to one of sport’s most intense rivalries.