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Iyer opts to bat as India and Pakistan skip handshake at Asian Games cricket final
Reported by Aditya Chauhan (Staff Writer) · Indian Express - Sports ·
Confirmed by a second source: ESPN - Cricket
Representative image · Wikimedia CommonsIndia captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss at the Asian Games cricket final in Korogi Sports Park, Japan, and elected to bat first, while Pakistan skipper Sahibzada Farhan did not shake hands with him. The omission of the customary handshake adds to a pattern that began during the 2025 Asia Cup, when the two sides met three times without any post‑match greetings. The same approach was seen later at the Women's World Cup, the Under‑19 Asia Cup and the Women's Asia Cup in September 2026. Tensions between the neighbours have risen since the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 and the subsequent military standoff, prompting both cricket boards to keep the gesture off the field. At the 2025 Asia Cup, India also refused to accept the trophy from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Asian Cricket Council president. Outside cricket, athletes from both countries have continued normal courtesies; table‑tennis and hockey players exchanged handshakes during the ongoing Games. PCB chief Naqvi stated in December 2025 that Pakistan would not force a handshake if India preferred not to, and he urged that politics stay away from the sport. Junior teams mirrored the senior level, with India’s Under‑19 captain Ayush Mhatre and Pakistan’s Farhan Yousaf also skipping handshakes at the Under‑19 Asia Cup and the Under‑19 World Cup this year.
Context
The handshake issue reflects broader political strains that have seeped into cricket, a sport that normally promotes friendly ties between the two nations.
ExplainerWhy this matters
What Happened
India and Pakistan faced each other in the Asian Games cricket final in Japan. The captains, Shreyas Iyer and Sahibzada Farhan, skipped the traditional handshake at the toss, with Iyer choosing to bat.
Why It Matters
The missing handshake is more than a courtesy lapse; it signals how political friction can shape sporting conduct. Since a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in 2025, diplomatic ties have soured, leading both cricket boards to avoid the gesture that usually symbolizes mutual respect. The refusal to exchange handshakes has become a visible sign of the strained relationship, even as athletes in other disciplines continue normal sportsmanship.
What Happens Next
Both boards are likely to keep the stance unless diplomatic talks improve. Future cricket meetings may still see the handshake omitted, while other sports may maintain usual courtesies. Observers will watch any official statements that could signal a shift in policy or a renewed emphasis on separating politics from the game.
