India and Bangladesh’s age-group sides duly shook hands after their tense match in the Under-19 World Cup, putting an end to a drama that threatened to overshadow the tournament.
India captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar, standing in for his regular skipper, didn’t shake hands at the toss. It rekindled memories of the 2025 Asia Cup, where India deliberately avoided handshakes with Pakistan as a mark of protest over the Pahalgam terror attack.
It was feared that India and Bangladesh, who are going through their own politically troubled phase off the field, could be headed the same way, starting with a youth game. However, after India finished their stunning comeback to win by 18 runs (DLS method), the players followed the custom
as usual.
So the handshake drama ends.
BCB cleared that it was a miscommunication and a misunderstanding.
After the end of the match, both teams performed a handshake. #ICC #BangladeshCricket pic.twitter.com/mRIAiTuuqH
— Shadman Sakib Arnob (@arnuX05) January 17, 2026
Earlier, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had registered a clarification about there being no handshake at the toss, calling it ‘completely unintentional’.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken note of an inadvertent and unwarranted action that occurred at the toss prior to the opening match of the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026, Zimbabwe & Namibia, between Bangladesh and India,” the board said.
“Due to illness, regular captain Azizul Hakim was unable to attend the toss, and vice-captain Zawad Abrar represented the team on the occasion. The BCB wishes to clarify that the absence of a handshake with the opposition captain was completely unintentional and resulted from a momentary lapse in concentration. There was no intent whatsoever to show discourtesy or disregard towards the opposition.”
“The Board has viewed the matter with due seriousness, as upholding the spirit of cricket and respect for opponents is a fundamental prerequisite for representing Bangladesh at any level and immediately advised the team management accordingly. The players have also been reminded of their responsibility to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship, camaraderie and mutual respect in all interactions with opposing teams. The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains fully committed to the values of cricket, both on and off the field,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the impasse between India, Bangladesh and the ICC continues. Following the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s ouster of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, the BCB has refused to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing security concerns. The ICC has denied considering any change to the schedule with just weeks to go for the marquee tournament.
