The “no-handshake” policy is only one aspect of a broader dispute affecting cricketing relations between India and Pakistan. Following the Asia Cup final in Dubai, India refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, leaving the trophy undelivered to India and creating an unusual deadlock.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia commented on the awkward situation: “It is an unfortunate situation that has persisted since the final. We hope the trophy will be returned soon. I discussed the matter with the ACC President on the sidelines of the ICC meeting, with the ICC Chairman also present. The discussions were positive, and we believe progress has been made.”
The unresolved trophy issue adds an additional layer of tension ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Analysts warn that the upcoming India-Pakistan clash will be charged not only with cricketing intensity but also with political overtones, potentially overshadowing the sporting spectacle.
The trophy deadlock and handshake policy are now intertwined with public perception and media scrutiny, ensuring that any encounter between the two nations will be viewed through both political and sporting lenses.