India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match: India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Saturday avoided giving a clear answer on whether he will shake hands with Pakistan players before or after their T20 World Cup match on Sunday, February 14, 2026. When asked about the issue at the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar said, “Wait for 24 hours. We are here to play cricket. We will play good cricket. Have good food and sleep. We will take a call on it tomorrow.”
India and Pakistan players have avoided handshakes since last year’s Asia Cup in Dubai, which came after the Pahalgam incident and Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian Armed Forces. The two sides last met in the Asia Cup final in Dubai, where India won the title. During that tournament, India did not shake hands with Pakistan players. India also did not step forward to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who is chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and president of the Asian Cricket Council, as well as a minister in the Pakistan government.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha also remained non-committal when asked about the handshake. “We will see tomorrow,” Agha said at the pre-match press conference. He added that cricket should be played in the right spirit and said it was up to the teams to decide what to do.
Handshakes before and after matches are not mandatory under playing conditions. The practice has largely been dropped in recent meetings between the two teams.
