Mumbai: Last September, Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav didn’t shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart Salman Agha at the toss, neither did the players exchange pleasantries during the three Asia Cup clashes between the arch-rivals in Dubai.
On Saturday, a similar sight was noticed at the toss in the ICC U-19 World Cup Group B match between India and Bangladesh at Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo. India captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh’s stand-in skipper Zawad Abrar went their own ways to after the toss of the coin, avoiding the customary handshake.
But as it turned out, it was a ‘momentary lapse in concentration’ on Abrar’s part which resulted in the no-handshake incident.
Players of both teams exchanged handshakes and greetings at the end of a closely-fought, rain-hit game which India won by 18 runs (DLS method).
Putting a lid on the controversy, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) clarified that the lack of customary handshake was not intentional, and resulted from a momentary lapse in concentration on the part of Abrar, who went out as regular captain Azizul Hakim was unable to attend the toss.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken note of an inadvertent and unwarranted action that occurred at the toss prior to the opening match of the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 between Bangladesh and India. Due to illness, regular captain Azizul Hakim was unable to attend the toss, and vice-captain Zawad Abrar represented the team on the occasion,” the BCB said in an official statement.
“The BCB wishes to clarify that the absence of a handshake with the opposition captain was completely unintentional and resulted from a momentary lapse in concentration. There was no intent whatsoever to show discourtesy or disregard towards the opposition,” BCB added.
The Bangladesh board stated that the U-19 players have been reminded of the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship
“The Board has viewed the matter with due seriousness, as upholding the spirit of cricket and respect for opponents is a fundamental prerequisite for representing Bangladesh at any level and immediately advised the team management accordingly. The players have also been reminded of their responsibility to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship, camaraderie and mutual respect in all interactions with opposing teams.”
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains fully committed to the values of cricket, both on and off the field,” it added.
Doubts about whether India were continuing the no-handshake policy with Bangladesh too were cleared.
