No handshake at toss in India-Bangladesh U19 World Cup clash

There was no customary handshake between the captains at the toss ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup Group A match between India and Bangladesh in Bulawayo on Saturday (January 17).

After a delayed start due to rain, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field. With regular captain Md Azizul Hakim Tamim sidelined because of illness, vice-captain Zawad Abrar stood in at the toss, while Ayush Mhatre led India.

The absence of a handshake at the toss was noticeable before the start of play. No official comment was made by either team regarding the incident.

A similar situation had played out at the senior level last year, when India and Pakistan captains did not shake hands at the toss during the Asia Cup. Meanwhile, diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh have also been strained of late.

The BCCI recently requested Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman, while the Bangladesh Cricket Board has maintained it does not want its team to play T20 World Cup matches in India, with a resolution on the impasse still awaited.