Bangladesh breaks silence on no handshake with India at U-19 World Cup toss
The Bangladesh Cricket Board issued a statement clarifying that the absence of a handshake between the two captains during the toss of the India vs Bangladesh U-19 World Cup 2026 match was “completely unintentional and resulted from a momentary lapse in concentration” . The incident sparked controversy on social media amid ongoing political tensions between the two nations, but the BCB stressed there was no intent to show discourtesy or disregard towards the opposition .
What happened at the toss
During the toss ahead of the U-19 World Cup group-stage match between India and Bangladesh, India captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar did not shake hands . Zawad attended the toss in place of regular captain Azizul Hakim, who was unable to participate due to illness . The lack of the traditional handshake between the two captains was quickly noticed and led to significant chatter on social media, particularly given the existing political and cricketing tensions between India and Bangladesh .
BCB’s official clarification
The Bangladesh Cricket Board released an official statement addressing the incident, calling it “an inadvertent and unwarranted action” at the toss prior to the opening match of the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 . The board emphasized that the absence of a handshake was not deliberate and came from a momentary lapse in concentration by the young cricketer representing Bangladesh .
“There was no intent whatsoever to show discourtesy or disregard towards the opposition,” the BCB statement read . The board added that it 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 .
Players reminded of sportsmanship standards
Following the incident, the BCB immediately advised the team management and reminded the players of their responsibility to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and mutual respect in all interactions with opposing teams . The board stated it remains fully committed to the values of cricket, both on and off the field, and expects all players to honor these principles .
Senior team tensions continue
While the BCB moved quickly to defuse the U-19 handshake controversy, the organization remained steadfast on its stance regarding the senior team’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 . Despite holding multiple meetings with the International Cricket Council, Bangladesh continues to refuse to travel to India for their group-stage matches, citing security concerns following the Mustafizur Rahman-IPL controversy and political tensions between the two countries .