The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has addressed the absence of a handshake between the captains of the India and Bangladesh U-19 teams during the toss at their World Cup match on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The BCB stated that the incident was "completely unintentional and resulted from a momentary lapse in concentration".
The incident occurred before the Group A match between the two teams at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Due to illness, Bangladesh's regular captain, Azizul Hakim, was unable to attend the toss. Vice-captain Zawad Abrar represented the team and stood alongside India's captain, Ayush Mhatre. However, the customary handshake before the match did not occur.
The BCB issued a statement from Dhaka to clarify the situation. The board emphasized that there was no intention to show discourtesy or disregard towards the opposition. The BCB acknowledged that the omission was "inadvertent and unwarranted" and stressed its commitment to the spirit of cricket and respect for opponents.
The board has taken the matter seriously, reminding the team management and players about upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and mutual respect in all interactions with opposing teams. The BCB reiterated that maintaining the spirit of cricket is a core value for representing Bangladesh.
The incident gained attention due to existing political tensions between India and Bangladesh. Notably, the Indian men's team had adopted a 'no-handshake' stance during the Men's Asia Cup in September 2025, and the Indian U-19 team also refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts at the U-19 Asia Cup. Furthermore, Bangladesh has requested the ICC to relocate its upcoming T20 World Cup matches from Kolkata and Mumbai, citing potential security risks.
The absence of a handshake drew immediate reactions and sparked discussions on social media, prompting the BCB's quick response to clarify the situation. The BCB's statement aimed to address any concerns and reaffirm their commitment to the values of cricket.
