Bangladesh has finally addressed the controversy surrounding the absence of a handshake between the Indian and Bangladeshi captains during their ICC U-19 World Cup 2026 Group A encounter. The moment, which occurred on the toss, quickly drew attention after India skipper Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh stand-in captain Zawad Abrar didn’t exchange the customary handshake. Given the sensitivity of sporting relations between the 2 nations, the incident sparked widespread debate amongst fans and experts alike.
Responding to the criticism, the Bangladesh Cricket Board clarified that the incident was “completely unintentional” and shouldn’t be interpreted as an indication of disrespect toward India or the spirit of the sport.
‘Momentary Lapse’ Cited because the Reason
In its official statement, the BCB explained that the dearth of a handshake resulted from a “momentary lapse in concentration” through the toss proceedings. The board stressed that there was “no intention to point out any type of discourtesy or disrespect” toward the Indian team. It further added that the Bangladesh camp holds the values of fair play and mutual respect in high regard, especially at age-group tournaments where learning and sportsmanship are equally vital as competition.
The board acknowledged the optics of the incident and admitted that such moments can send unintended messages. As a corrective step, the BCB said it has reminded players and team officials of their responsibility to uphold the spirit of cricket in any respect times, ensuring that similar situations don’t arise in the longer term.
Larger Context Adds to the Sensitivity
The handshake episode gained additional attention on account of Bangladesh’s ongoing stance regarding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Bangladesh has reiterated that it doesn’t want to play its matches in India, a position that has already been discussed in multiple meetings with the International Cricket Council. This broader backdrop led many to view the U-19 incident through a more political or symbolic lens, despite assurances on the contrary.
Nonetheless, the BCB maintained that the youth-level incident shouldn’t be linked to administrative or scheduling disagreements. Emphasizing unity and respect, the board concluded that Bangladesh stays committed to maintaining healthy cricketing relations and ensuring that young players represent the sport with dignity on the worldwide stage.
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