India snub handshake as Afridi waits in Colombo
India’s players walked past Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi and teammate Usman Tariq without a handshake after their T20 World Cup clash in Colombo on Sunday, sparking debate over post-match protocol. The brief but awkward moment came as the two Pakistani cricketers stood near the boundary rope while the Indian squad headed off following their win.
Television footage showed Afridi and Tariq waiting for the customary exchange, but no interaction followed. “We were just standing there,” a Pakistani player said later, according to local media. “It’s part of the spirit of the game.”
An Indian team member downplayed the incident, saying, “There was no intention to disrespect anyone. Emotions run high after big matches.” A former international added that “India–Pakistan games are intense, and small moments get amplified.”
India’s victory strengthened their position in the group stage, but the post-match scene quickly became the main talking point, reviving discussions about sportsmanship in cricket’s fiercest rivalry.