.. by Raza Muhammad Khan
The handshake’s power began with its origin in antiquity, as a physical symbol of peace and goodwill; when open-handed greeting was a way to show that no weapon was being held.
Handshakes also matter because they are a gesture of trust and connection, both socially and symbolically. This etiquette is indeed a universal non-verbal language for positive human traits. A confident handshake can project strength, trustworthiness and emotional stability. It’s commonly done upon meeting, greeting, parting and offering congratulations, in all walks of life, particularly in games, as a sign of good sportsmanship.
This attribute is also a code of fair play, respect and integrity in games and is characterized by treating opponents, officials and teammates with benevolence and grace, even in competitive situations. It involves demonstrating courtesy in both victory and defeat, following the rules, giving full effort, maintaining a constructive attitude and displaying humanitarian contemplations, like helping an injured opponent. In many countries, particularly Western social contexts, handshake refusal is often perceived as a sign of hostility. For instance, in 2023, the Ukrainian fencer was disqualified after his refusal to shake hands with his Russian opponent, when both countries were at war.
Regretfully, the Indian Cricket Team rejected these norms at the 2025 Asia Cup cricket tournament, by refusing to shake hands with their Pakistani opponents. Pakistan was compelled to file a formal protest with the ICC against this behaviour of the Indians and the match referee, who willfully facilitated it. Such conduct was unbecoming of his responsibility and status and his later apology may have only partially mitigated the damage done to the sport by an ICC official. This norm of the grip is followed in politics too, even between sworn enemies, for the sake of peace.
A prominent example of this is the many spectacular events when US President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un met in person multiple times, each culminating in genuine and cheerful handshakes. These gestures symbolized historic attempts at improving diplomatic relations between the two countries. Even if such efforts didn’t succeed, they lowered tensions and created a positive atmosphere for a tranquil future. But such munificence may be unfamiliar to the petty and vindictive minds of the top BJP leaders in India. Rather than portraying themselves as victims of terrorism at a sports event, they could use such gatherings to stop terrorist attacks against themselves, if they have the courage to first apologize publicly to the widows, orphans and children of IHK and honor their past pledges to accept UNSC resolutions on plebiscite.
This would address the root causes of conflict in the subcontinent and India may not need to masquerade the issue repeatedly through false flag actions, like the Pahalgam attacks, axing Asian peace and prosperity. Only such courage could enable Indian rulers to reclaim their desire for greatness, minus the Akhund Bharat delusion. Failing this, their antics may garner more votes, but their wishes of grandeur will remain a dream. Further, there is no way that India can hide or quash its humiliating military defeat by Pakistan earlier in May, through such reprehensible antics abroad or by winning a match. This incident reconfirms that outlaw states like India will continue to remain outside the norms of international sports and won’t hesitate to assault its basic values.
Some sports commentators argue that the international games system has an incipiently classified structure based on three roles: rule-makers, rule-takers and rogue teams, who defy the rules. The Indian team has proved that it belongs to the last category. To check this, international sports regulators and committees must encourage the formulation of appropriate rules and apply them without lenience for bigger states that exhibit uncivilized behavior or hatred for other teams at international events, like the one witnessed recently in Dubai. Only stern actions can prevent such “states of concern,” with recalcitrant teams, from repeating such ugly behavior.
Refusal to shake hands in games is also reproved with a black card warning, since the action is rude, uncivilized and discriminatory. The Olympic rules which address decorum and team discipline are instructive, particularly Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits political, religious, or racial demonstrations and propaganda in Olympic areas to maintain focus on sports and unity. Violations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the athlete’s National Olympic Committee and International Federation, with sanctions including disqualification or medal revocation. Similarly, Football (soccer) rules address decorum and discipline through Law 12, for actions like unsporting behavior, dissent, or physical confrontations.
As many sports events are hosted by the UAE, the organizers of games in the country must specifically formulate and implement their own country codes for cricket and other games. This can effectively deter and preclude repetition of such incidents and prevent misuse of international sports, for defaming and ridiculing others and dragging politics of hate and deceit into sports, at the behest of governments. The UAE authorities must also reappraise their own rules for ensuring courtesy and a friendly environment in sports and hold a separate investigation about the role of the BCCI, in addition to the probe by the ICC, to penalize offenders.
Finally, while the handshake episode embarrassed our team, it portrayed them as true representatives of a peaceful, civilized, altruistic and rule-based country, who gave their best to cricket. This made us proud and gained us domestic and international respect and praise. Our teams must keep this attitude and conduct, for the sake of sports and for Pakistan’s reputation, their victory or loss in the game notwithstanding.
—The writer is the former President of NDU Islamabad. ([email protected])
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