BCCI Defies ICC Appeal as India U-19 Continues No-Handshake Policy Against Pakistan

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) request to keep politics out of junior-level cricket was disregarded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as the India Under-19 team continued its no-handshake policy during its Asia Cup match against Pakistan at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai on Sunday.

India and Pakistan were contesting their second Group A match of the ongoing U-19 Asia Cup, with both sides having begun their campaigns with convincing victories. India had thrashed hosts United Arab Emirates by 234 runs in their opening match, while Pakistan had recorded a 297-run win over Malaysia.

Ahead of the high-profile encounter, a PTI report said the ICC was keen to ensure that politics did not influence U-19 cricket and had urged India to abandon the no-handshake stance. The policy was first implemented in September during a senior Asia Cup match in Dubai as a gesture of solidarity with the Indian Army and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. It was later followed during the Women’s ODI World Cup and the Rising Stars Asia Cup T20 tournament in matches against Pakistan.

However, the ICC left the final call to the BCCI, clarifying that if the policy was to continue, match officials must be informed in advance.

On Sunday, India captain Ayush Mhatre did not shake hands with Pakistan skipper Farhan Yousuf after the toss. After Yousuf elected to bowl first, Mhatre stood behind him without extending a handshake. Following a brief exchange with the presenter, Yousuf handed over the microphone to Mhatre without making eye contact and walked back to the dugout.

The match was delayed due to rain in Dubai. Originally scheduled to begin at 10.30 am IST, the toss took place nearly 30 minutes later, with the match reduced to 49 overs per side.