U19 World Cup 2026 / Bangladesh Clarifies Handshake Snub, Issues Strict Directives to Players

The U19 World Cup 2026 witnessed an intriguing encounter between India and Bangladesh, a match that ultimately favored India. However, the game's commencement was overshadowed by an unexpected controversy involving a handshake, prompting the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to issue a formal clarification. The incident, which occurred during the toss, garnered significant attention and led to BCB's swift response, where they attributed the oversight to an unintentional error, while this event underscores the critical importance of sportsmanship and mutual respect, particularly among young athletes competing on an international stage.

The Handshake Controversy Unfolds at the Toss

During the toss of the India-Bangladesh U19 World Cup 2026 match, an unusual incident unfolded that quickly became a talking point, while india's captain, Ayush Mhatre, was present for the toss, a standard pre-match ritual. Representing Bangladesh was vice-captain Jawad Abrar, as the regular captain, Azizul Hakim, was unable to attend due to illness, a detail later clarified by the BCB. Following the completion of the toss procedure, it's customary for both captains to shake hands, symbolizing sportsmanship and respect between the competing teams. However, on this occasion, the expected handshake between Bangladesh's vice-captain Jawad Abrar and Indian captain Ayush Mhatre didn't occur, while this conspicuous omission immediately sparked a controversy, drawing widespread attention and discussion across the cricketing fraternity and social media platforms, compelling the BCB to address the matter publicly.

Bangladesh Cricket Board's Official Stance and Clarification

In response to the growing controversy, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) promptly took cognizance of the incident and issued an official clarification. The board acknowledged that the non-handshake with the Indian captain after the toss had indeed taken place, while bCB first provided context regarding the absence of their regular captain, stating that Azizul Hakim was unwell and thus unable to participate in the toss, which led to vice-captain Jawad Abrar stepping in to represent the team. This explanation aimed to address any speculation surrounding the captain's absence. Subsequently, the board elaborated on the handshake incident itself, asserting that it. Was an entirely unintentional oversight and not a deliberate act of disrespect.

No Intent to Disrespect: BCB's Assurance

Bangladesh Cricket Board emphatically stated that the incident of not shaking hands with the Indian captain was purely unintentional and an oversight that slipped their minds, while bCB clarified that there was absolutely no intention to disrespect or insult the Indian captain through this action. This statement aimed to convey that the incident was a human error rather than a premeditated slight. The board emphasized that it took the matter seriously, as upholding the spirit of cricket and respecting the opposing team is a fundamental condition for anyone representing Bangladesh at any level. BCB believes that maintaining the values of the game and showing respect to opponents is the responsibility of every player and team management. Following the incident, the team management was immediately informed and instructed to take necessary steps to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Strict Directives Issued to Players

BCB further announced that it has issued strict directives to its players, emphasizing their responsibility to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and mutual respect in all interactions with opposing teams. The board reiterated its full commitment to the values of cricket, both on and off the field. These instructions were put in place to ensure that no such incidents occur in the future that might go against the spirit of the game or cause offense to any team. BCB made it clear that adhering to sportsmanship and respecting opponents isn't merely a formality but an integral part of Bangladesh cricket's identity. This serves as a crucial lesson for young cricketers to prioritize ethical values alongside competitive performance.

A Display of Sportsmanship Post-Match

Despite the initial controversy at the start of the match, a positive display of sportsmanship was observed after the conclusion of the U19 World Cup 2026 encounter between India and Bangladesh. Players from both teams were seen shaking hands with each. Other, a sight that exemplified the true spirit of cricket. This post-match interaction demonstrated that despite the competitive nature of the game and any momentary misunderstandings, mutual respect and camaraderie ultimately prevail, while this particular match saw India emerge victorious, defeating Bangladesh by 18 runs using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, allowing the Indian team to advance further in their campaign. While the win was significant for the Indian side, the earlier incident. Sparked an important discussion on the paramount importance of sportsmanship among young cricketers.

BCB Statement on Toss-Related Incident in U19 World Cup Opener

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken note of an inadvertent and unwarranted action that occurred at the toss prior to the opening match of the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026, Zimbabwe & Namibia, between… pic.twitter.com/st9HbTDcGH

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) January 17, 2026