India and Pakistan captains skipped the customary handshake at the toss during the U-19 World Cup 2026 clash. India skipper Ayush Mhatre and Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf went through the toss formalities without the traditional greeting, a gesture that quickly grabbed attention ahead of the encounter.
India are taking on Pakistan in their final Super Six match of the World Cup at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday, February 1. Both sides are pushing for a semi-final spot, giving the contest added edge. The Ayush Mhatre-led team has cruised through the tournament so far without facing a major test.
India-Pakistan U19 Captains Skip Handshake Again at World Cup Toss
The two captains skipped the customary handshake during the U19 World Cup match between India and Pakistan. Indian skipper Ayush Mhatre and Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf completed the toss without any interaction.
Just like in recent meetings between the two sides, both captains avoided eye contact and did not exchange words. The handshake, usually seen as a sign of sportsmanship before the coin toss, did not take place.
Notably, the move appeared deliberate and not a mistake. This lack of interaction has become a recurring feature in India-Pakistan matches, with the tension visible even before the first ball was bowled.
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Handshake Snub Between India and Pakistan Across Formats in International Cricket
The growing refusal to exchange handshakes has become a regular pattern in recent India-Pakistan cricket encounters. It first emerged during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup in September, when Indian players avoided shaking hands with Pakistan during the group stage.
The trend later extended to women’s cricket on October 5 at the Women’s World Cup in Colombo, where Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana also skipped the customary greeting.
Earlier in the U19 World Cup, Ayush Mhatre avoided the handshake with Bangladesh captain Zawad Abrar. The toss handshake was skipped at the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup in November, but the Indian and Pakistani teams travelled together and greeted each other warmly after the match.
Playing XIs for India vs Pakistan U19 World Cup Super Six Match
“Slightly moisture on the pitch. The bowling unit wants to make use of it. Not too much difference between Harare and Bulawayo. We have done really well in the last 3-4 games. Focus is on playing a good game and good intent, not too much plan for the NRR. One change,” Farhan Yousaf at the toss.
“Boys are doing really well. We are confident enough. The boys are playing really well. It’s a sunny day. Last two matches, good weather and it’s really helped us,” Mhatre at the toss.
Pakistan U19: Hamza Zahoor(w), Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf(c), Huzaifa Ahsan, Ali Hassan Baloch, Abdul Subhan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Ali Raza
India U19: Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre(c), Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu(w), Vedant Trivedi, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran
Also read: Sanju Samson dropped as India’s playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026 announced by BCCI selector
