Our Bureau
New Delhi
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi delivered a blunt response to India’s “no-handshake” policy, stating Pakistan has no desire to force gestures if India persists, as tensions simmer post-Pahalgam terror attack.
Naqvi, also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, addressed reporters here, emphasizing equal footing in India-Pakistan cricket encounters. “If they don’t want to shake hands, then we have no particular desire to do so either,” he declared, adding, “Whatever happens, it will happen on an equal footing with India. It’s not possible for them to do one thing and for us to back down.” He reiterated Pakistan’s long-held view that cricket must stay separate from politics.
India’s teams—men’s, women’s, and U19—adopted the policy since the September Asia Cup, skipping post-match handshakes with Pakistanis in solidarity with the 26 tourists killed in April’s Pahalgam attack by Pakistan-backed militants. The stance continued through the women’s ODI World Cup, U19 Asia Cup group stages, final, and Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha. India responded with ‘Operation Sindoor,’ targeting cross-border terror bases.
Naqvi’s comments follow Pakistan U19 mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed’s accusation of “unethical” Indian behavior in the U19 Asia Cup final, with PCB mulling an ICC complaint. Ahead of the UAE tournament, ICC urged BCCI to reconsider for junior cricket, but India held firm.
Pakistan vows competitive parity without concessions, signaling prolonged frosty protocols. “This approach will continue going forward,” Naqvi affirmed, amid peaked hostilities.
