India-Bangladesh Players Spotted Shaking Hands After Toss Controversy In U19 World Cup Match

A brief moment of confusion at the toss threatened to overshadow India's Under-19 World Cup opener against Bangladesh, but normalcy was restored after both sides exchanged handshakes following the match.

The incident emerged when India captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh's stand-in skipper Zawad Abrar did not shake hands before the toss, sparking concerns of political spillover into youth cricket.

The moment immediately drew parallels with the 2025 Asia Cup, where the Indian senior team had intentionally avoided handshakes with Pakistan in protest after the Pahalgam terror attack. Given the ongoing off-field tensions between the Indian and Bangladeshi cricket boards, worries mounted that a similar gesture was unfolding at the junior level.

However, those fears were quelled once India completed an impressive comeback to win by 18 runs via the DLS method, with players from both sides engaging in the traditional handshake customary at the end of matches.

Before the game concluded, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a formal clarification to diffuse the situation, describing the toss incident as accidental. "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.

Providing context, the BCB explained: "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. "

Reaffirming the importance of discipline and conduct, the statement added: "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. "

Meanwhile, the broader dispute between the BCCI, BCB and ICC continues, with Bangladesh refusing to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing security concerns after Mustafizur Rahman's IPL ouster. The ICC, however, has maintained that no schedule changes are being considered so close to the tournament.