Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made Pakistan's position clear on the issue of joining hands with India during cricket matches. Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Naqvi said Pakistan will not give any symbolic gesture if India is not ready to participate.Speaking to the media in Lahore, Naqvi said that Pakistan has always believed that cricket and politics should be kept separate.
He said this approach has not changed over time and this message has come from the highest level. According to him, Pakistan also does not want to be treated differently or unfairly.“Our belief remains the same even today, and believe me, the Prime Minister himself has told me twice that we should not let politics come into all this. Our stand from day one has been that cricket and politics should remain separate. Naqvi said, “Sarfaraz would have told you that day what kind of attitude was shown and what it was like.”He further said that if India does not want, Pakistan will not insist on joining hands. “If they do not want to join hands, we also have no particular desire to do so. Whatever happens, it will be on an equal basis with India. And you will see, this approach will continue. It is not possible for them to do one thing and we step back – that will not happen at all.”The matter of handshake has been going on between India and Pakistan for some time. Since then pahalgam terrorist attackPlayers from both sides have avoided shaking hands in many tournaments. This was seen during the Men's T20 Asia Cup, Women's Cricket World Cup and recently the Under-19 Asia Cup.However, it all started during the Asia Cup 2025. After the match between India and Pakistan, the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav And his teammates refused to shake hands with Pakistani players. India said that this was done as a protest after the Pahalgam attack.
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