India vs Pakistan Handshake Row Extends to Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars

The handshake row that has hovered over India vs Pakistan fixtures all week surfaced once again, this time in Bangkok.

Ahead of the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 clash between India A and Pakistan A at the Terdthai Cricket Ground on February 15, the two sides chose not to exchange pre-match handshakes. It continues a pattern that has become increasingly familiar across age groups and formats whenever the two teams meet.

The development comes on the same day the senior men's teams are preparing to face off in Colombo, where the pre-match etiquette has already been under scrutiny.

Will there be a handshake at India vs Pakistan T20 WC?

On the eve of the senior men's T20 World Cup clash, India captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to confirm whether there would be a handshake at the toss, saying, "We'll see about handshake at toss. Wait for 24 hours."

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha was equally measured, stating, "We will see tomorrow," while adding that cricket should be played in the right spirit.
Those remarks left the question open in Colombo. In Bangkok, however, the answer was visible.

The absence of a handshake in the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars follows similar scenes at the men's Asia Cup earlier this year, where Indian players opted out of pre- and post-match handshakes. The same approach was seen during the Women's World Cup 2025 and the men's U-19 Asia Cup final.

While handshakes are not mandatory under ICC regulations, they have long been symbolic of sporting courtesy. The recent shift coincides with strained diplomatic relations between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent geopolitical developments.

On the cricketing front, India A enter the contest after a seven-wicket loss to the UAE and sit third in Group A. Pakistan A, who defeated Nepal by 30 runs in their opener, top the group. The top two teams will progress to the semifinals.

But as has often been the case in this rivalry, the narrative has extended beyond the boundary rope, even before the first ball is bowled.