BCCI says no-handshake policy with Pakistan to continue amid India-Pakistan tensions. (Photo: X/@CricCrazyJohns)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has indicated that India’s no-handshake policy with Pakistan is likely to continue, with secretary Devajit Saikia asserting that the geopolitical situation between the two nations remains “not conducive” for normal on-field interactions. Saikia’s comments come amid ongoing controversies surrounding India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players at recent ICC and ACC events.
Speaking to RevSportz, Saikia was asked whether India would reconsider its stance going forward, especially after multiple incidents where Indian teams senior men, women, and A squads skipped handshakes with Pakistan players.
“I am not an astrologer. I cannot predict anything. Everything is dependent on the geopolitical situation. The situation is not very conducive till now. Tomorrow I do not know,” Saikia said, emphasising that the continuation or withdrawal of the policy hinges entirely on political circumstances between the two countries.
During the Asia Cup 2025, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav triggered debate after he did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss. The stance held firm across all three India-Pakistan clashes during the tournament, including the final. There was no handshake before or after matches, and the approach was replicated by the women’s team at the Women’s ODI World Cup and India A during the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament.
The continued absence of handshakes has once again highlighted the strained cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, with bilateral cricket already suspended for more than a decade.
Adding to the tension is the unresolved issue surrounding the Asia Cup trophy. India reportedly refused to accept the winner’s trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi in Dubai after winning the tournament. Naqvi left the stadium with the trophy, which remains at the ACC headquarters.
“This is an unfortunate situation which has been going on since the final of the Asia Cup in Dubai. We hope the trophy will come back to India as soon as possible. In the ICC meeting, I personally met the ACC president on the sidelines. There were positive discussions and very soon we hope that a solution will emerge to close this chapter,” Saikia said.
With no bilateral series planned and political tensions dictating cricketing protocols, India and Pakistan continue to interact only during ICC and ACC tournaments. The no-handshake policy now stands as another reminder of the diplomatic freeze influencing sporting conduct.
As Saikia reiterated, whether things change in the near future depends solely on geopolitics and until then, the symbolic gesture of a handshake will remain off the table.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
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