Bulawayo, Zimbabwe - A new chapter has been added to the ongoing saga of strained relations in cricket, as the U-19 World Cup match between India and Bangladesh witnessed a controversy surrounding the customary pre-match handshake. The incident occurred at the toss between India U-19 captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh U-19 vice-captain Zawad Abrar, who was standing in for their captain Md Azizul Hakim Tamim, who was reportedly ill.

Following the coin toss, which Bangladesh won and chose to field, the two captains walked away without shaking hands. This followed a similar incident earlier where the Indian team did not shake hands with the Pakistani team. This omission has sparked debate and drawn attention to the growing tensions between the two nations, both on and off the field.

The incident at the U-19 World Cup is viewed by many as a reflection of the deteriorating relationship between the cricket boards of India (BCCI) and Bangladesh (BCB). Tensions have been simmering due to recent events, including the controversial exclusion of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad in the upcoming IPL season. The BCB had reportedly requested the ICC to move their T20 World Cup matches from India, citing security concerns. In response, the Bangladesh government has reportedly suspended the broadcast of the IPL within the country.

The decision regarding Mustafizur Rahman's release from KKR was allegedly influenced by growing calls within India to remove him, following reports of attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh. The BCB's request to shift T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka further highlights the escalating issues between the two boards. The ICC has urged BCB to reconsider their plea, while the BCB has threatened to revoke their participation in the tournament if their demands are not met.

This U-19 World Cup handshake controversy echoes a similar situation during the Asia Cup T20 where the Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav, avoided shaking hands with Pakistan’s captain. These instances raise concerns about the increasing influence of political tensions on sportsmanship in cricket.

Despite the pre-match controversy, the game proceeded, with India posting a total of 238 runs against Bangladesh. Half-centuries from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhinav Kundu helped stabilize the Indian innings after a shaky start that saw them lose early wickets. After a brief rain interruption, the match was shortened to 49 overs per side.

The absence of a handshake has become a focal point, overshadowing the game itself and highlighting the broader context of strained cricketing and political relations between India and Bangladesh. Neither team has officially commented on the handshake incident. The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many users linking it to the recent deterioration in India-Bangladesh relations.

The match is taking place at the Queen's Sports Club in Bulawayo.