Wahab Riaz Shrugs Off India-Pakistan Handshake Controversy

Wahab Riaz Downplays Growing Handshake Debate After India-Pakistan Clash

The spotlight after India's commanding victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup was not solely on the cricket. Instead, attention quickly shifted to a familiar scene that has become increasingly common in India-Pakistan contests: the absence of handshakes.

Pakistan women's team head coach Wahab Riaz brushed aside the controversy on Monday, saying the lack of handshakes between players from the two countries "won't make a big difference." His comments came after India's comprehensive 64-run win over Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on June 14.

The issue resurfaced after Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana did not exchange handshakes at the toss. The customary post-match greetings were also absent, continuing a pattern that has persisted in India-Pakistan cricket encounters over the past year.

'It Won't Make A Big Difference'

During the post-match press conference, Riaz was asked about the apparent frostiness between the two teams and whether players and support staff maintained friendly relations away from public view.

The former Pakistan fast bowler responded by saying he was unaware of the exact reasons behind the situation but suggested that it was not something worth dwelling on.

According to reports from Birmingham, Riaz remarked that he had retired from cricket some time ago and did not know why handshakes were no longer taking place. He added that if things were continuing in that manner, it would not make a significant difference.

His comments contrasted with the growing public debate surrounding sportsmanship and symbolism in India-Pakistan sporting contests.

A Policy That Has Continued Across Tournaments

The handshake issue is not new.

India and Pakistan have largely avoided the traditional exchange of handshakes in major ICC events since 2025. The practice has extended across both men's and women's cricket and has frequently become a talking point before and after high-profile encounters.

Earlier this year, India's men's team also maintained the same stance during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Reports at the time indicated that the policy reflected broader sensitivities following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

Ahead of Sunday's women's match, Harmanpreet Kaur herself attempted to steer attention away from the controversy. She stressed that India's focus remained on cricket and performance rather than discussions around handshakes or off-field narratives.

India Dominate On The Field

While the handshake debate dominated headlines, the cricket itself was one-sided.

India posted 170 for 6 after strong contributions from opener Smriti Mandhana, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh.

Mandhana's fluent innings provided the foundation, while Richa accelerated in the closing overs to push India beyond the 170-run mark.

Pakistan began their chase positively but collapsed dramatically once spinner Deepti Sharma entered the attack.

Deepti produced one of the finest spells of the tournament, claiming five wickets for just 10 runs. Pakistan tumbled from a competitive position to 106 all out, handing India a comfortable 64-run victory.

The result strengthened India's position in Group A while raising fresh questions about Pakistan's ability to handle pressure in major tournaments.

Riaz Identifies Key Turning Point

Although he acknowledged India's superiority, Riaz felt Pakistan contributed to their own downfall.

The coach pointed to fielding and tactical lapses during the final overs of India's innings. He suggested Pakistan had conceded roughly 15 to 20 runs more than they should have because of mistakes in the closing stages.

Riaz also tried to highlight positives from the performance, praising the team's effort and fighting spirit despite the heavy defeat.

He said international cricket was often decided by fine margins and nerves, adding that Pakistan's players were continuing to work hard despite the disappointing result.

Mixed Reactions From Fans

The continuing absence of handshakes has triggered mixed reactions among cricket supporters.

Some fans view the decision as an understandable reflection of strained political relations. Others argue that sport should remain separate from politics and that traditional gestures of respect should be maintained regardless of diplomatic disputes.

Social media platforms were flooded with reactions immediately after the match, with supporters from both countries debating whether the gesture carries any real significance or has become an unnecessary distraction from the cricket itself.

Cricket analysts have also noted that while the handshake controversy generates headlines, players from both sides have generally conducted themselves professionally during matches.

What Happens Next?

For India, attention now shifts to the remainder of the Women's T20 World Cup campaign, where the team will look to build on an impressive opening victory. Pakistan, meanwhile, face pressure to bounce back quickly and keep their semi-final hopes alive.

Whether the handshake issue continues to dominate future India-Pakistan encounters remains uncertain. What is clear is that every meeting between the two cricketing rivals carries significance beyond the scoreboard.

For now, Wahab Riaz appears unwilling to add fuel to the debate. His message was simple: handshakes or no handshakes, the result on the field matters far more than the symbolism around it.