Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has taken a clear but measured position on India’s ongoing “no-handshake” policy against Pakistan, saying Islamabad will respect whatever stance New Delhi chooses while maintaining parity on the field.
Since the Asia Cup in September, Indian men’s and women’s teams have avoided post-match handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts during international fixtures. The move is widely seen as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed. India continued the policy most recently during the U19 Asia Cup.
Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Naqvi stressed that the PCB has no intention of forcing ceremonial gestures such as handshakes. “If they don’t want to shake hands, then we have no particular desire to do so either,” he said, underlining that Pakistan will not insist on formalities that the other side is uncomfortable with.
Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, added that the Pakistani leadership believes sport and politics should remain separate. He revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had personally advised him not to allow political tensions to dominate cricketing ties. “From day one, our stance has been that cricket and politics should remain separate,” Naqvi said.
However, he also made it clear that Pakistan expects equal treatment. According to Naqvi, there can be no situation where one side sets terms and the other is expected to concede. “Whatever happens, it will happen on an equal footing with India. It’s not possible for them to do one thing and for us to back down,” he stated.
Relations between the two nations remain strained following the Pahalgam attack and India’s subsequent military response, Operation Sindoor, aimed at terror infrastructure across the border. Amid heightened tensions, Naqvi’s remarks signal Pakistan’s willingness to keep cricketing contests going without symbolic gestures while insisting on mutual respect and equality.
