Will Rivals Break the Ice? India-Pakistan Captains Stay Silent Before T20 WC Blockbuster

Will Rivals Break the Ice? India-Pakistan Captains Stay Silent Before T20 WC Blockbuster

PTI

Colombo : The question on everyone’s mind ahead of Sunday’s high-octane T20 World Cup clash in Colombo is simple — will India and Pakistan shake hands before the match? So far, neither captain is giving a straight answer.

On Saturday, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav kept fans guessing, offering a cryptic reply.

“Wait for 24 hours,” said Suryakumar with a grin.

“Wait till tomorrow,” echoed his counterpart Salman Ali Agha.

Players from India and Pakistan have stopped shaking hands with each other since last year’s Asia Cup in Dubai, which was held in the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre and the subsequent Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian Armed Forces.

Just move away when he pauses: Ashwin’s advice to India on tackling Usman Tariq

Varun, Abrar, Tariq: Mystery spinners ready to bamboozle batters on a slow Premadasa track

Decision on Abhishek's match fitness after today's training, parents arrive in Colombo

Finding the right mix

When asked about handshake, Surya, in his inimitable style with a toothy grin: “Now wait for 24 hours for that. Why put so much focus on that? We have come to play cricket. We will play good cricket. We will take all those calls later tomorrow. Wait for it. Eat well and go to sleep.”

“We will see about it tomorrow,” Agha gave a cryptic response about the possibility of a handshake in the pre-match press conference here on Saturday.

However, Agha was clear in his view that the ‘spirit of the game’ should be upheld under any circumstances.

“Cricket should be played in (right) spirit. My personal opinion may not matter. But cricket should be played according to how it has always been meant to be played. It’s up to them to decide what to do,” Agha added.

However, it has learned that general mood in the Indian camp ahead of Sunday’s game at the Premadasa too has been more thoughtful than bullish, leaving the decision-making to the higher officials and go by their call.

However, when it comes to Indian team, there is general wariness about public sentiment on social media which could be extreme as the emotions in the aftermath of Pahalgam attack is still raw.

Bangladesh Cricket Board chief to watch Indo-Pak match, meet BCCI officials

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam Bulbul had said that he would be in Colombo to watch the India-Pakistan match where he is expected to break ice with BCCI after tense exchanges over the past few weeks.

From India, BCCI president Mithun Manhas, secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajeev Shukla are expected to be in attendance.

Speaking to Bangladesh newspaper ‘Pratham Alo’, Islam said the invitation for the high-profile game has come from ICC.

“ICC has taken a decision. The major stakeholders of ICC are these five Asian countries and for the India-Pakistan World Cup match on the 15th, they want representatives of all five Asian countries to be present at the ground together, watch the match together and talk to one another,” Islam had remarked.