A diplomatic row has erupted between India and Pakistan after players from both teams failed to shake hands following an Asia Cup match. The incident, dubbed #Handshakegate, occurred after India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets earlier this month. Video clips of the snub went viral, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board to lodge a formal complaint with the Asian Cricket Council.
India's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, indicated that the snub was a consequence of recent border tensions. In April, 26 civilians were killed in a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan. The ensuing military escalation included airstrikes and damage to holy sites. Against this backdrop, the absence of handshakes became shorthand for a wider political freeze.
The handshake is a long-standing tradition in cricket, seen as a symbol of mutual respect and closure. The MCC's Spirit of Cricket preamble calls on players to respect opponents, and the handshake is its simplest embodiment. However, its absence has often sparked controversy. In February, Scotland refused handshakes with Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane over sexual-coercion charges. In May, Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq's IPL handshake flared into a confrontation. And in November, Sri Lanka's players declined to shake hands with Bangladesh after Angelo Mathews became the first batter to be timed out at a one-day World Cup.
Historically, handshakes have also served as diplomatic gestures. In 1987, Pakistan's General Zia-ul-Haq exchanged handshakes with India's Rajiv Gandhi during 'cricket diplomacy'. In 2011, Manmohan Singh and Yusuf Raza Gilani greeted teams before a World Cup semi-final. These moments highlight how the clasp of palms can stand for something more grand, transcending sport.
