The long-simmering India Pakistan handshake row has flared up again—this time with Pakistan’s cricket board chief drawing a clear line in the sand. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has declared that while Pakistan won’t force handshakes with the Indian team, it will expect “equal terms” in all on-field interactions ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 .
This latest statement reignites a tense debate that’s as much about geopolitics as it is about sport. Since the 2023 Pahalgam attack, handshakes between the two arch-rivals have become a flashpoint—symbolizing deeper diplomatic rifts and testing the ICC’s ability to keep politics out of cricket .
In a recent press briefing, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi addressed growing speculation about pre- and post-match protocols between the Indian and Pakistani teams. “We have no interest in shaking hands if the other side is unwilling,” he stated bluntly. “But we demand equal treatment. If they don’t shake our hands, we won’t shake theirs—and that should be accepted without bias.”
His comments come amid heightened scrutiny ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA, where another India-Pakistan clash is all but guaranteed. Naqvi emphasized that “politics must be kept out of cricket,” yet his stance inherently acknowledges that the line between sport and state has already blurred.
The handshake issue isn’t new—it’s become a recurring subplot in every India-Pakistan encounter over the past two years:
Each incident has chipped away at the ceremonial goodwill once symbolized by the handshake—a gesture meant to honor competition, not politics.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) includes “respectful conduct” and “spirit of cricket” as core principles in its playing conditions. While there’s no explicit rule mandating handshakes, teams are expected to demonstrate mutual respect.
However, enforcement has been inconsistent. After the 2024 T20 World Cup incident, the ICC declined to penalize India, citing “sensitive geopolitical context” . This perceived leniency has fueled Pakistan’s claims of unequal treatment—a key point in Naqvi’s recent remarks.
According to cricket governance experts, the ICC’s reluctance to intervene reflects a broader institutional challenge: balancing neutrality with real-world political pressures. As noted by ESPNcricinfo, “The ICC walks a tightrope—punishing one side risks being seen as politically biased” .
To casual fans, skipping a handshake might seem minor. But in the India-Pakistan context, it carries outsized symbolic weight.
Cricket has long served as a rare channel of communication between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. When players shake hands, it signals a momentary truce—a shared love of the game transcending borders. When they don’t, it echoes the diplomatic freeze beyond the boundary ropes.
Historically, handshakes have paved the way for backchannel talks, fan goodwill, and even state-level thawing. The current refusal, therefore, isn’t just about etiquette—it’s a barometer of bilateral tensions.
Naqvi’s phrase “equal terms” is diplomatic code for parity in perception and treatment. He’s not just talking about handshakes—he’s challenging the narrative that Pakistan is the “aggressor” or “less sportsmanlike” in this dynamic.
His underlying message: if Indian players are excused from shaking hands due to “national sentiment,” then Pakistani players should be equally excused without being labeled as unprofessional or hostile. It’s a plea for symmetry in accountability—and in media portrayal.
All eyes will be on the 2026 T20 World Cup, where another India-Pakistan match could occur in a neutral venue like Florida or Texas. The PCB’s current stance sets the stage for a potentially awkward standoff:
One thing is certain: the optics will be scrutinized. In an era where every frame goes viral, a single missed handshake could dominate headlines more than the match itself.
Mohsin Naqvi’s comments on the India Pakistan handshake row underscore an uncomfortable truth: in high-stakes rivalries, cricket is never just a game. While the PCB chief insists on keeping politics out of sport, his demand for “equal terms” is itself a political statement—one born of frustration and a desire for dignity.
As fans, we may wish for pure competition. But until governments and institutions find a sustainable peace framework, the boundary between bat and ballot will remain porous. For now, the handshake—or lack thereof—remains a silent but powerful voice in the world’s most emotionally charged cricket rivalry.
Stay updated on India-Pakistan cricket dynamics with our in-depth coverage of [INTERNAL_LINK:india-pakistan-cricket-history] and [INTERNAL_LINK:t20-world-cup-2026-preview].
[1] The Times of India. “Handshake row deepens; PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi warns of ‘equal terms'”, December 2025.
[2] BBC Sport. “How the Pahalgam attack reshaped India-Pakistan cricket relations”, October 2023.
[3] ICC Media Release. “ICC Statement on Player Conduct Following India vs Pakistan T20 WC Match”, June 2024.
[4] ESPNcricinfo. “The ICC’s dilemma in policing India-Pakistan cricket diplomacy”, July 2024.
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