Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha (Source:X)After days of uncertainty and political tension, the much-awaited India vs Pakistan match at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is officially back on schedule. The high-profile clash will be played in Colombo on February 15 after Pakistan reversed its earlier decision to boycott the fixture.Finally, after prolonged drama, the Pakistan government confirmed that its team would take part in the match. However, even with the match confirmed, one familiar question continues to dominate social media: Will the IND vs PAK players shake hands on February 15?PCB brings IND-PAK handshake controversy in meetingBefore the 'Men in Green' agreed to play against India, Pakistan had threatened to boycott the game in solidarity and support with Bangladesh. As the matter escalated, negotiations followed, involving officials from ICC, BCB, PCB, and government representatives.Eventually, after weeks of talks, Pakistan finally agreed to participate, clearing the final hurdle for the match to go ahead.In the meeting, PCB, led by Mohsin Naqvi, raised three crucial demands before the ICC. One of the issues raised concerned the pre- and post-match handshakes between both the teams. The other two demands included: Pakistan requested an increase in its annual ICC funding and the revival of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan.According to reports, PCB officials sought assurances about the traditional gesture as part of their conditions for playing India. The ICC, however, declined to step in, stating that handshakes are not part of its formal regulations and fall outside its authority.When did IND-PAK handshake controversy start?It is important to mention that the handshake controversy started during the Asia Cup 2025. During that tournament in Dubai, the India and Pakistan players skipped the customary handshake after their matches. Reports at the time indicated that India's decision was taken in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 and in support of the armed forces involved in Operation Sindoor.Since then, the no-handshake approach has continued across several tournaments. The two teams did not shake hands in any of their three meetings at the Asia Cup. The pattern was followed at women's fixtures, the ACC Rising Stars Tournament, and most recently at the Under-19 World Cup.BCCI and PCB's take No-handshake controversyThroughout this period, the BCCI in India has maintained a clear and consistent stance. Its position is that a handshake is a tradition, not a mandatory requirement. There is no official rule requiring players to participate in the gesture; therefore, the decision rests with the team.Pakistan’s officials have taken a different view on this matter. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly described the handshake as a symbol of sportsmanship during meetings with ICC representatives in Lahore. Despite that push, the ICC made it clear that it would not enforce or regulate such gestures.As a result, there is little expectation that the captains (Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha) will exchange handshakes before the match in Colombo, or that players will do so afterwards.With the political drama temporarily settled and the fixture confirmed, attention now turns to what promises to be a high-voltage encounter.
