No Handshake Again: Dinesh Karthik’s India Team Snubs Pakistan at Hong Kong Sixes

The Hong Kong Sixes tournament witnessed a tense moment when the Indian side, captained by Dinesh Karthik, once again refrained from shaking hands with the Pakistan team after their match. The incident drew attention as it mirrored a similar occurrence from the Asia Cup 2025, where the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team had avoided a post-match handshake with Pakistan.

The decision appeared to continue a pattern influenced by the sensitive political and diplomatic relations between the two nations. According to a team insider quoted in the report, “there was no chance of a handshake; we will follow whatever has been the norm,” reaffirming India’s firm stance on the matter.

Karthik Leads From Front as India Edge Pakistan

On the field, the contest proved exciting despite the underlying tension. India batted first and posted a total of 86 for 4 in six overs. Robin Uthappa gave the side a flying start with a quickfire 28 off 11 balls, while Bharat Chipli contributed 24 from 13 deliveries, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Skipper Dinesh Karthik played a handy cameo, finishing unbeaten on 17 off just 6 balls, helping India set a challenging target in the short six-a-side format. Pakistan began their chase confidently, reaching 41 for 1 after three overs, showing intent to go after the target. However, rain disrupted play, and the match result was eventually decided by the DLS method, which saw Pakistan fall short by a narrow margin of two runs.

Political Undertones Continue to Affect Indo-Pak Cricket

The post-match snub reignited discussions surrounding the strained cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. Since bilateral series have been suspended for over a decade, encounters between the two teams now occur only in multinational tournaments. The recurring decision to skip handshakes symbolizes the off-field tensions that continue to overshadow their on-field battles.

The NDTV report highlighted that the move aligns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) unofficial policy of maintaining limited engagement with Pakistan in the wake of past terror-related incidents. Fans and analysts remain divided—some view the act as a firm expression of national sentiment, while others believe sports should remain separate from politics.

Nevertheless, Karthik’s men maintained the same approach as previous Indian sides, keeping professionalism on the field but avoiding any formal exchange afterward. As one source reiterated, “we will follow whatever has been the norm,” signaling that India’s cricket teams are unlikely to change this stance anytime soon.