The India vs Pakistan no-handshake saga has become a talking point in cricket since September 2025. The customary sporting gesture disappeared during the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
The trend continued in subsequent meetings between the two teams. Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana did not exchange the customary greeting at the toss, while the two teams walked in separate directions after the national anthems during the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai on September 5.
India vs Pakistan No-Handshake Practice Continues in Men’s Cricket
The no-handshake practice began during the Men’s Asia Cup in September 2025, months after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. India avoided handshakes with Pakistan during the tournament, including after their opening meeting in Dubai.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav also dedicated the victory to the Indian armed forces and the victims of the attack. India and Pakistan met again in the Super Four stage on September 21, with India winning by six wickets.
Pakistan posted 171/5 after choosing to bat first, but Abhishek Sharma led India’s chase as they reached 174/4 in 18.5 overs. The players again avoided the customary post-match handshake. The same pattern continued in the Asia Cup final on September 28.
Pakistan were bowled out for 146 after losing wickets regularly following an 84-run opening stand. Tilak Varma (69) and Shivam Dube helped India chase the target with two balls to spare and win by five wickets. The trophy presentation also took place without a handshake between the teams.
India and Pakistan met in the Men’s T20 World Cup in Colombo on February 15, 2026. India posted 175/7 after Ishan Kishan smashed 77 off 40 balls. Pakistan were then bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, giving India a 61-run victory. The players again left the field without exchanging handshakes.
No-Handshake Stance Continues in India vs Pakistan Women’s Cricket
India Women continued their no-handshake stance against Pakistan Women during the Women’s ODI World Cup in Colombo on October 5, 2025. India posted 247 before bowling Pakistan out for 159 in 43 overs. Both teams avoided the customary post-match handshake.
Ahead of the Women’s Asia Cup, India head coach Amol Muzumdar was asked about the team’s approach towards Pakistan. He kept the focus on cricket and avoided getting drawn into the wider discussion surrounding the handshake issue.
“We are concentrating on cricket rather than off-the-field stuff.”
The next major meeting came in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Birmingham on June 14, 2026. India scored 170/6 after winning the toss and choosing to bat, with Deepti Sharma making an impact with both bat and ball. Pakistan were restricted to 106 in 17 overs as India secured a 64-run victory.
The latest instance came during the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai on September 5, 2026. Pakistan were bowled out for just 55 in 18.1 overs, with Sree Charani and Prema Rawat taking three wickets each. India then chased down the target in 8.4 overs to secure a seven-wicket win.
The handshake issue was again visible before and after the match. Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana did not exchange the customary greeting at the toss and avoided eye contact. After the national anthems, the two teams also walked in separate directions.
India vs Pakistan No-Handshake Trend Reaches A-Team and Youth Cricket
The no-handshake trend also appeared in matches involving India A and Pakistan Shaheens. The two sides met in the Asia Cup Rising Stars in Doha on November 16, 2025, where Pakistan Shaheens won by eight wickets. India A struggled with the bat before Pakistan chased down the target comfortably.
The practice continued at the Under-19 level. India U-19 defeated Pakistan U-19 by 90 runs in the U-19 Asia Cup in Dubai on December 14, 2025. Pakistan responded in the final on December 21, beating India by 191 runs to claim the title.
India U-19 and Pakistan U-19 met again at the U-19 World Cup in Bulawayo on February 1, 2026. India posted a competitive total before their bowling attack restricted Pakistan and secured a 58-run victory. The teams again maintained their distance after the match instead of exchanging traditional handshakes.
The same day, India A Women faced Pakistan A Women in the Women’s Rising Stars Asia Cup in Bangkok. Pakistan were restricted to a low total on a slow pitch before India A Women chased down the target inside 12 overs to win by eight wickets.
The India-Pakistan rivalry and the no-handshake trend had extended beyond the senior teams. Notably, the encounters continued to attract attention for both their on-field results and the absence of the customary post-match gesture.
India vs Pakistan No-Handshake Saga Has Exceptions
The no-handshake practice has not been followed in every India-Pakistan sporting or cricket encounter. During the Men’s Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen on August 19, the players exchanged greetings before the match. They also shook hands after India secured a 5-3 victory.
Cricket also saw an important exception in November 2025 during the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup. The India Blind Women’s and Pakistan Blind Women’s teams shook hands after their match, unlike the senior cricket teams in their recent meetings.
Can India Face Pakistan Again in Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Final?
India can face Pakistan again in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final on September 13, but both teams must first win their respective semi-finals. India have already secured their place in the semi-finals as the Group A leaders after beating Pakistan by seven wickets on September 5.
Pakistan still need to confirm their semi-final spot by beating Hong Kong in their final Group A match on September 7. A victory would see them finish second in Group A.
India will play Semi-Final 1 on September 10 against the Group B runner-up, with Bangladesh Women currently expected to finish in that position. India will need to win that match to reach the final.
Pakistan, meanwhile, would play Semi-Final 2 on September 11 if they finish second in Group A. They are likely to face Group B leaders Sri Lanka Women, with the defending champions currently expected to finish at the top.
Also read: India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Complete Record Across World Cups, Asia Cup & More
