In a significant statement ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has clarified Pakistan's position regarding on-field interactions with the Indian cricket team. Naqvi asserted that Pakistan will not force any symbolic gestures, such as handshakes, if the Indian side is not willing to participate.
Pakistan's Long-Standing Stance: Cricket and Politics Separate
Addressing the media in Lahore, Naqvi reiterated Pakistan's consistent belief that cricket and politics should be kept separate. He emphasized that this viewpoint has not changed over time and comes directly from the highest levels of the country's leadership. "Our belief remains the same even today, and believe me, the Prime Minister himself has told me twice that we shouldn't let politics come into all of this," Naqvi revealed.
He traced this policy back to its origins, stating that from day one, Pakistan's stance has been to maintain a division between sports and political tensions. The PCB chairman also stressed that Pakistan expects to be treated on an equal footing and does not wish to face any unfair treatment in cricketing matters.
No Insistence on Gestures if India Refuses
Naqvi provided clear details on how Pakistan will approach the sensitive issue of post-match formalities. "If they don't want to shake hands, then we have no particular desire to do so either," he stated plainly. He framed this as a matter of mutual respect and parity, not one-sided concession.
"Whatever happens, it will happen on an equal footing with India. And you will see, this approach will continue going forward," Naqvi declared. He firmly ruled out any scenario where Pakistan would back down unilaterally, adding, "It's not possible for them to do one thing and for us to back down — that simply won't happen." This sets a clear precedent for all future encounters, including the upcoming global tournament.
Background of the Handshake Controversy
The avoidance of handshakes between players of the two nations is not a new development. The practice began after the Pahalgam terror attack, which led Indian players to refrain from the customary post-match gesture as a form of protest.
This was notably observed during the Asia Cup 2023, when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team declined to shake hands with Pakistani players after a match. The trend continued in several subsequent tournaments:
- The Men's T20 Asia Cup
- The Women's Cricket World Cup
- The recent Under-19 Asia Cup
Naqvi's latest comments formalize Pakistan's response to this ongoing situation, effectively removing any expectation or pressure for ceremonial civilities unless both sides are equally willing. The statement serves as a definitive guideline for the Pakistani contingent as they prepare for the high-profile clashes expected at the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026, where the two arch-rivals are likely to face each other.
