By KHURRAM SHEHZAD AWAN:
The India–Pakistan cricket rivalry has never been short of drama, but this time the headlines are not about runs or wickets — it is about respect. A storm has erupted after several Indian players allegedly refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts following their latest clash, igniting global debate over sportsmanship and the spirit of cricket.
Television footage showed Pakistani players extending their hands in the customary gesture of goodwill, only to be ignored as Indian cricketers walked away. What should have been a symbolic moment of unity after a high-pressure contest turned instead into a scene of hostility, leaving fans and analysts fuming.
The incident has triggered outrage in Pakistan, where former cricketers and fans condemned India’s behavior as “unsportsmanlike” and “against the values of cricket.” On social media, hashtags calling out the Indian team’s arrogance began trending within hours, with fans pointing out that rivalries should never overshadow basic respect.
Sources suggest the snub may have been a deliberate act, influenced by political undercurrents that too often bleed into Indo-Pak sporting ties. Critics argue that Indian players, as international ambassadors of the game, have a responsibility to uphold cricket’s traditions — regardless of results or rivalries. “This is not just about shaking hands,” one veteran sports analyst told me. “It’s about setting an example to millions of youngsters who learn from what they see on the field.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has so far remained silent, but the governing body now faces pressure to address the controversy. If left unchecked, many fear such incidents could normalize disrespect and further damage cricket’s image as a gentleman’s game.
It is not the first time India has been accused of arrogance in high-profile encounters, but doing so against Pakistan carries far deeper implications. In an era when cricket is touted as a bridge between divided nations, gestures of hostility only widen the gap.
At the end of the day, a handshake costs nothing — yet it means everything. The Indian team’s refusal has cast a long shadow over a thrilling contest, raising uncomfortable questions: Is sportsmanship being sacrificed at the altar of rivalry? And if so, what does that say about the future of cricket’s most celebrated rivalry?
