COLOMBO: There was no handshake at the toss as Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in a high-voltage T20 World Cup encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
The absence of the customary gesture once again drew attention, continuing a controversial trend that has defined recent India-Pakistan fixtures. Critics argue that the no-handshake approach undermines cricket’s long-standing spirit of sportsmanship.
India’s continued refusal to engage in the customary handshake has drawn criticism from former players and observers who argue that sport should remain separate from political tensions.
Critics say the gesture — a long-standing symbol of respect in cricket — costs nothing yet carries powerful meaning, especially in high-profile contests watched by millions.
They contend that by maintaining the no-handshake stance, India risks allowing off-field disputes to overshadow the spirit of the game and the values of sportsmanship it has historically championed.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar had earlier criticised the stance, calling it “silly” and “unbecoming,” and urging players to uphold the traditions of the game despite political tensions between the two nations.
At the toss, there was no visible exchange between Salman and India captain Suryakumar Yadav, with formalities kept brief before the captains turned their attention to the contest ahead.
Salman said the surface appeared tacky and could offer assistance to the bowlers early on, adding that chasing might prove advantageous under the Colombo conditions. Pakistan retained an unchanged XI for the marquee clash.
