ARTICLE AD BOX
![]()
Controversy erupted during the U-19 World Cup 2026 lucifer betwixt India and Bangladesh aft the 2 captains did not speech the customary handshake astatine the toss, triggering wide treatment connected societal media.
India skipper Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar, who attended the flip successful spot of regular skipper Azizul Hakim, went done the formalities without the accepted greeting, prompting speculation amid the prevailing governmental tensions betwixt the 2 countries.Addressing the issue, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) clarified that the lack of a handshake was “completely unintentional and resulted from a momentary lapse successful concentration”.
The committee reiterated this presumption successful an authoritative connection issued connected Saturday, stressing that determination was nary deliberate intent down the incident.
Bangladesh cricket successful turmoil: What it means for the T20 World Cup?
The flip took spot astatine the Queens Sports Club successful Bulawayo up of the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup clash, with proceedings delayed owed to rain. Bangladesh won the flip and elected to tract first. With Azizul Hakim sidelined by illness, vice-captain Abrar represented Bangladesh astatine the flip alongside Mhatre, wherever the infinitesimal rapidly drew attraction adjacent earlier play began.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken enactment of an inadvertent and unwarranted enactment that occurred astatine the flip anterior to the opening lucifer of the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026, Zimbabwe & Namibia, betwixt Bangladesh and India. Due to illness, regular skipper Azizul Hakim was incapable to be the toss, and vice-captain Zawad Abrar represented the squad connected the occasion.“The BCB wishes to clarify that the lack of a handshake with the absorption skipper was wholly unintentional and resulted from a momentary lapse successful concentration.
There was nary intent whatsoever to amusement discourtesy oregon disregard towards the opposition.“The Board has viewed the substance with owed seriousness, arsenic upholding the tone of cricket and respect for opponents is simply a cardinal prerequisite for representing Bangladesh astatine immoderate level and instantly advised the squad absorption accordingly.“The players person besides been reminded of their work to support the highest standards of sportsmanship, camaraderie and communal respect successful each interactions with opposing teams.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains afloat committed to the values of cricket, some connected and disconnected the field,” said the BCB successful its statement.Such incidents are not without precedent. Similar situations occurred during past year’s elder Men’s T20 Asia Cup, erstwhile India and Pakistan captains did not shingle hands astatine the flip successful each 3 matches. The latest occurrence comes amid broader strains successful cricketing ties betwixt Bangladesh and India.
The BCB is besides seeking to debar playing its Men’s T20 World Cup fixtures successful India, peculiarly aft the BCCI requested IPL three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to merchandise Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its squad for the 2026 season.
