Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has firmly stated Pakistan's stance on engaging with India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, particularly regarding the customary pre- or post-match handshakes. Addressing the media in Lahore on Sunday, December 28, 2025, Naqvi asserted that Pakistan would not insist on any gestures of goodwill if India wasn't willing to reciprocate.
Naqvi's comments came in response to India's "no-handshake" policy that has been in place since September 2025. This policy, adopted by both the Indian men's and women's cricket teams, involves refraining from handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts in international matches. The decision was reportedly made to express solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack that occurred in April. The policy was first seen during the Asia Cup 2025, led by Suryakumar Yadav. Following that, the Indian women's team adopted the same approach during the ODI World Cup, and India's U19 men's side continued the no-handshake policy during the Asia Cup.
"If they don't want to shake hands, then we have no particular desire to do so either," Naqvi stated, emphasizing that any interaction would occur on an equal footing. "Whatever happens, it will happen on an equal footing with India. And you will see, this approach will continue going forward. It's not possible for them to do one thing and for us to back down – that simply won't happen," Naqvi added. He also said that Pakistan would accept whatever approach India chose to follow, and there would be no one-sided compromises.
Naqvi reiterated Pakistan's long-held belief that cricket and politics should remain separate. He stated that the PCB would respect any decision made by the Indian government. He quoted the Prime Minister, saying, "Our belief remains the same even today, and believe me, the Prime Minister himself has told me twice that we shouldn't let politics come into all of this. From day one, our stance has been that cricket and politics should remain separate".
Naqvi's remarks follow comments by Pakistan U19 coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, who criticized India's actions in the Asia Cup final as "unsportsmanlike". It was also reported that the PCB considered involving the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the matter. Prior to the Asia Cup, the ICC had reportedly requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider the no-handshake policy, particularly at the junior level, reminding them that politics should not influence junior-level cricket.
Tensions between the two sides flared during the U-19 Asia Cup final this month. Pakistan's senior men's cricket team is scheduled to face India on February 15 in Sri Lanka during a group stage match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
