India, Pakistan players ready to shake hands in T20 World Cup 2026 as handshake boycott ends

India-Pakistan to resume handshake?: The 2026 T20 World Cup India vs Pakistan match is on the cards after three weeks of drama from the latter team's boycott of the match. However, after the International Cricket Council (ICC) accepted some demands made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). They decided to make a U-Turn and play the blockbuster clash, which is scheduled for tomorrow.

However, in the change of things, Pakistan is trying to start off the handshake thing between both teams, after it was stopped by Suryakumar Yadav's men during the Asia Cup. The Men in Blue stopped to showcase solidarity after the Pahalgam attack. PCB demanded to ICC to accept the request to resume the handshake, which was not accepted by the apex body.

Mohsin Naqvi is trying to end the India-Pakistan rift

Now, it has been reported by Rohit Juglan on his YouTube channel that several important figures were being invited to the match, as Pakistan try to fix things. The list includes Mubashshir Usmani, the General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board. Representatives from the top five cricket boards, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh, were also said to be included.

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ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, who had played an important role in the entire matter, had also been invited. Reports also suggest that Pankaj Khimji from Oman had received an invitation as well. These developments pointed to the broader politics involved and the strategy Pakistan was attempting to solve the issue.

Handshake issue to be solved between India and Pakistan

All the high-level delegates are being invited by Mohsin Naqvi to solve the handshake issue. It has been suggested that there will be some conditions provided in front of the BCCI, and the Men in Blue, and if they still refuse to shake hands, it could have a negative impact.

PCB and Mohsin Naqvi previously found them under deep water after they failed to acquire support from other board members during their boycott stance.

Here's the video

There have been discussions about making a fresh start, with indications that both teams and the captain might be seen shaking hands during the toss and again after the match. At present, this remains as rumours, and no commitment has been made in case of future changes.

However, the most significant development being discussed was that the two arch-rivals were expected to shake hands with each other in the spirit of the game. After the Asia Cup, Pakistan’s team held an emergency meeting and declared that they would not initiate a handshake unless the other side did so first, regardless of whether it involved women’s, Under-19, or men’s cricket.

Are India and Pakistan ready for a fresh start?

A handshake in this instance would therefore represent the first visible sign of easing tensions between the two nations. However, as the decision completely stands on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), players and their national government until then no changes will take place.

PCB also demanded a bilateral series between the two neighbouring countries, which was denied by the apex body. As the decision of resuming the series does not lie in the hands of ICC or BCCI, until the Indian government gives a green signal on the matter.

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