Friction between India and Pakistan has seeped over borders and rows and has hit beyond bounds over the handshake, an easy part of pregame rituals. Two titans face off against each other this Sunday in a high-stakes contest with the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, and everyone is watching whether or not captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha remain true to the custom.
Handshake Row as it began during Asia Cup 2025
The hallmark, in contrast, has loomed large over it, with the gesture as a sign of a friendly gesture being turned into a diplomatic gesture in the era of geopolitical tension.
The “Stunning” Remark: Salman Ali Agha Stance
Earlier today before the game, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was called on by reporters whether his team would shake hands with the Indian side after a hightight-volume pre-match press conference. His answer was both diplomatic and sharp:
“Cricket should be played right. All my personal beliefs might not matter, but the game needs to be played the way it has always been played. It’s really up to them (India) to decide what to do regarding the handshake. We will see about it tomorrow."
The comment has had stunned fans as it puts the “ball in India’s court,” underlining the two teams’ distinct methods for on-field diplomacy.
The Backstory: Why No Handshakes?
The controversy is hardly novel; this is not unlike the stance taken in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year. The Asia Cup: This was Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav's refusal to shake hands with Salman Agha at the 2025 Asia Cup's toss. The team for its part also refused to shake hands following the game as a token of goodwill towards the aggrieved and in common cause to the Indian Army’s ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Solidarity over Sport: Indian officials have stressed that cricket is not “business as usual” in such cases of national sentiments being hurt. Pakistan's Reaction: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously brought the issue before ICC, even making "handshake protocols" among their calls to prevent their short-lived boycott of the 2026 World Cup.
Match Day: What to Expect
While the handshake is still in doubt, the stakes of cricketing could not be higher. Both teams are currently undefeated in Group A.
- Tournament Stakes: win by any one team is virtually an eternal guarantee of going to the Super 8s.
- Weather Risk: For Colombo, it'll come with a 60% chance of rain, meaning a short, high-octane "sprint" could follow.
- Key Battle: Watch for Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq vs. India’s middle-order powerhouse Suryakumar Yadav
