Board of Control Cricket in India (BCCI) had disregarded the demand made by the International Cricket Council (ICC) of ensuring that no politics is involved in the junior level of cricket when the Indian Under-19 team on Sunday matched Pakistan in the Asia Cup in Dubai continued its no-handshake policy.
This high profile Group A match was played in the ICC Cricket Academy where both India and Pakistan went into the game on the heels of resounding performances. India had started its U-19 Asia Cup campaign with the resounding victory of 234 over hosts United Arab Emirates and Pakistan had won its first match by a very huge margin of 297 against Malaysia.
Prior to the game, it was reported that the ICC had also advised the Indian cricket board to change its position and permit the usual post match handshakes, to highlight the fact that political matters should remain out of the age group tournaments. BCCI, however, held its own ground and the Indian players again declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the game.
The no handshake policy was initially introduced by the Indian teams in the senior Asia Cup held in September in Dubai as well. This step was made in order to show the support to the Indian Army and the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. The policy has then been adhered to by the Indian teams in all formats and tournaments whenever they encounter Pakistan.
The identical position was upheld at the Women ODI world cup and the Rising Stars Asia Cup T20 tournament and it was a way of expressing the determination of the BCCI to ensure the policy is consistent in both senior and junior competitions.
Although the ICC has insisted that the junior-level cricket must not be politicized, the fact that the policy is still relevant in the U-19 Asia Cup indicates that the Indian board is adamant on the issue.
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