An unusual moment marked the toss ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup Group A clash between India and Bangladesh in Bulawayo on Saturday (January 17), as the two captains did not exchange the customary handshake.
Following a rain delay, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first. With regular skipper Md Azizul Hakim Tamim ruled out due to illness, vice-captain Zawad Abrar represented the team at the toss. India, meanwhile, were led by Ayush Mhatre.
The lack of a handshake was clearly noticeable before play began, though neither team offered any official explanation for the omission.
A comparable incident had occurred at the senior level last year, when captains from India and Pakistan skipped the handshake at the toss during the Asia Cup. The episode also comes amid recently strained diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.
Off the field, tensions have surfaced in cricketing matters as well. The Board of Control for Cricket in India recently asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman, while the Bangladesh Cricket Board has reiterated its reluctance to have its team play T20 World Cup matches in India — an issue that remains unresolved.
