BCCI Says No-Handshake Policy Against Pakistan Likely to Continue Amid Unsettled Geopolitics
BCCI signals that Indian teams will continue the no-handshake policy with Pakistan amid ongoing tensions.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has indicated that the no-handshake policy currently observed by Indian cricket teams during encounters with Pakistan is expected to continue, given the prevailing geopolitical tensions between the two countries. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia acknowledged that while he cannot predict the future, the current environment is “not very conducive” to resuming such traditional gestures of sportsmanship.
The no-handshake stance has been evident since the Asia Cup 2025, where Indian men’s team captain Suryakumar Yadav notably did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during their matches. This practice was also observed by the women's team led by Harmanpreet Kaur during the Women's ODI World Cup and by India A players in the ongoing Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament.
Saikia also addressed the continuing dispute over the Asia Cup trophy, which Indian players refused to accept from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The trophy has since remained with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Dubai. Saikia revealed that multiple meetings at ICC and ACC forums have taken place with positive signs toward resolving the issue, but a final solution has not yet been reached.
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The ongoing strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have kept bilateral cricket on hold since the 2012-13 season, with matches only taking place at neutral venues under strict security protocols. The BCCI emphasized that any change to the no-handshake policy depends heavily on improvements in the broader political climate, underscoring the complex interplay between geopolitics and sportsmanship.
As the cricketing world watches, the no-handshake policy remains a symbolic reflection of the wider tensions but also highlights the continued engagement efforts by cricket governing bodies to maintain dialogue and move toward normalcy in future encounters.
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