Rohit Sharma and Wasim Akram (Image credit: X)

A warm hug between Rohit Sharma and Wasim Akram stole the spotlight in Colombo — and it came amid the ongoing no-handshake row between India and Pakistan. As the two icons embraced and shared a laugh before Sunday’s high-voltage clash, the moment quickly went viral, standing in sharp contrast to the frostiness that has defined on-field protocol between the two teams.Rohit was present at the venue in his capacity as a brand ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan encounter, he spent time around the Indian camp, exchanging smiles, hugs and handshakes with players and members of the support staff. The former captain appeared relaxed, soaking in the build-up to cricket’s biggest rivalry while offering encouragement before the big night.

The highlight, however, was his interaction with Akram. The Indian great and the Pakistan pace legend had the ceremonial duty of walking out with the T20 World Cup trophy. Before stepping onto the field at the R Premadasa Stadium, the two chatted briefly, posed for photographs and embraced warmly — a gesture that triggered mixed reactions online.The hug was particularly striking because it unfolded against the backdrop of India’s continued no-handshake stance with the Pakistan team. At the toss, India captain Suryakumar Yadav once again refrained from the customary greeting with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, in line with the approach the Indian side has maintained since the Asia Cup. While the policy has been a talking point in recent meetings, Rohit and Akram’s exchange offered a reminder that respect between players transcends contemporary tensions.Amid the charged atmosphere and packed stands bracing for another fierce chapter in the rivalry, the embrace provided a softer image — two legends from opposite sides of the border united by their shared history in the game.Once the match began, though, the warmth gave way to ruthless efficiency from the defending champions. India crushed Pakistan by 61 runs in their Group A encounter, a result that sealed their progression to the Super Eights.HOW INDIA TROUNCED PAKISTANIshan Kishan’s explosive 77 set the platform as India posted 175. The target of 176 always looked steep under pressure, and India’s bowlers ensured it remained that way.Hardik Pandya set the tone with a wicket-maiden opening over, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for a four-ball duck after inducing a mistimed pull. Jasprit Bumrah then struck twice in quick succession — first deceiving Saim Ayub with a sharp inswinger and then removing Salman Agha with a tame chip to mid-on. At 13/3 inside two overs, Pakistan’s chase was already in tatters.Babar Azam’s dismissal soon after left Pakistan reeling at 34/4. Usman Khan attempted to mount resistance with an enterprising 44, striking boundaries to briefly lift spirits. However, the required rate kept climbing, and India’s spinners tightened the screws.Kuldeep Yadav delivered a crucial, economical spell that built pressure before Axar Patel produced the breakthrough, stumping Usman just as he threatened to rebuild. From there, wickets fell in a procession. Kuldeep removed Mohammad Nawaz, Tilak Varma struck with his very first ball to dismiss Shadab Khan, and Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with two scalps.Pandya eventually knocked back Usman Tariq’s middle stump to wrap up proceedings as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs — their third-lowest total in T20 World Cup history.

Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha, left, looks at India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo/)

There was no handshake after the match between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup clash in Colombo, continuing the icy stand-off that began during the Asia Cup last September.“I will break the suspense tomorrow. Wait for 24 hours,” Suryakumar Yadav had said on the eve of the match. Twenty four hours later, the message was clear and unambiguous. There would be no handshakes.

The frost between the two sides remained evident not only at the toss but also after the game. Just as in their meetings during the Asia Cup in Dubai last year, the players did not exchange handshakes once the contest ended on Sunday.On the field, India produced a commanding performance. Opener Ishan Kishan’s supersonic 77 off 40 balls powered India to 175 for seven after being asked to bat first on a tacky surface. He shared an 87 run stand with Tilak Varma, whose contribution was 11, as Kishan dominated the Pakistan attack.The match began on an unusual note with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha bringing himself on for off spin in the first over and dismissing Abhishek Sharma, who holed out to Shaheen Shah Afridi. Saim Ayub, who finished with 3 for 25, and Agha kept the pressure on during the power play.Kishan, however, turned the tide. He pulled Afridi for a towering six and then dismantled the spinners. Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan were struck for boundaries and sixes as Kishan raced to a 27 ball fifty. He eventually fell trying to carve Ayub over mid wicket, missing the ball and losing his stumps.Pakistan clawed back through Ayub, who removed Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya off successive deliveries to leave India at 126 for four. Suryakumar Yadav made 32 off 28 balls, while Shivam Dube added 27 off 17. A 15 run final over from Afridi, in which Dube and Rinku Singh attacked, carried India to 175 for seven.In reply, India’s bowlers never allowed Pakistan to settle. Hardik Pandya struck in the opening over to dismiss Sahibzada Farhan for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah followed with a double strike, removing Saim Ayub and Salman Agha as Pakistan slumped to 13 for three.Axar Patel bowled Babar Azam and later dismissed Usman Khan, who top scored with 44 off 34 balls. A brief 39 run partnership between Usman and Shadab Khan offered resistance before another collapse set in.Varun Chakravarthy claimed two wickets in the 16th over, and Hardik returned to take the final wicket as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in the 18th over. Hardik, Bumrah, Axar and Varun took two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma picked up one apiece.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on Friday said the team will try to shut out the off-field noise surrounding its planned boycott of the India match and instead focus on winning remaining group games to qualify for the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage.

Pakistan, who won the title in 2009, are coming into the tournament in the wake of their decision to boycott the February 15 group game against arch-rivals India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland after refusing to travel to India citing security concerns.

Asked how he would deal with the situation, Salman told reporters: “By just avoiding that. It’s something we, as a group, we don’t really talk about and we don’t really see what’s happening outside in the group. And I think that’s the best we can do. We can avoid all this and just focus on our game.”

Since September last year, Indian cricket teams have adopted a no-handshake policy with Pakistan counterparts in international matches in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam attack.

“We don’t really feel hurt or anything like that. But for the game it is not good. These things obviously should not happen,” Salman said.

“Growing up as a kid, I’ve always seen people doing what was required for the game to be improved. We, to some extent, are role models. If you do that, then kids are going to pick up this and tomorrow, they are going to do the same things.

“So, I think these things should not happen. Because if you think of role models, I think role models don’t do this stuff.” Boycotting the match against India means Pakistan will lose the 2 points on offer and thus the former champions need to win their remaining three group games to enter the knock out stage.

Apart from the India, Pakistan also have the Netherlands, USA and Namibia in their group.

Asked if there is any pressure on the team to win the first two matches, Salman said: “No, there is no pressure at all because whenever you come to an ICC tournament, you have to win almost all of your games.

“And when we came here, we thought that we will win all the games and give our best. In the same way, we will try to give our best in the games that we play.”

Pakistan are likely to face weather-related challenges in Colombo, where they are scheduled to play their group-stage matches.

Pakistan’s only warm-up match against Ireland here on February 4 was also washed out due to heavy rain.

“Weather is not in our control … the thing that is not in control, there is no point in trying to control it. And we only think about how to win the three matches that we have…”

Reflecting on off-field controversies surrounding recent India-Pakistan matches Salman said: “In the past two events more than cricket we are being asked about other things, which I think is not good.

“We have come here as a sportsman and we come to talk about cricket and play cricket. So, it’s better things stay to that extent only. We as a team and as an individual, try not to let these things affect us, and don’t see or think about these things much, because it is better to avoid such things for yourself and for the better of your game.”

Pakistan have struggled against India in ICC events in the past but Salman hoped for a better showing in this tournament.

“As a professional, we are ambassadors of our country. We represent our country here. And our effort is that only – you cannot doubt anyone’s effort or ability. But yes, we do not have the results. We cannot run away from that.

“We have to honestly say that we did not play the kind of cricket that people expect from us. Or as a team, we expect from ourselves. We have that idea and our effort is that we enhance our game and the mistakes that we made earlier, should not be repeated. And in this tournament, we will also try to do this.”

Salman admitted that the team will have to address its death bowling concerns.

“Death bowling is definitely our concern. But if you look at the last six months, there is a lot of improvement. And we have our coaches and our bowlers who are present here right now, they are doing a lot of work, and they have an idea about this. And they definitely have concerns about this.

“They are also trying to overcome it. So, hopefully, the things that have been happening earlier, will not repeat in this tournament.”

There has been debate around the unusual side-arm bowling action of Usman Tariq. However, Salman backed the bowler, terming him an “X” factor.

“I don’t understand why we are talking about his action. Because in my opinion, it is a fair action. And he has been tested twice. And he has cleared it,” he said.

“Yes, he is the X Factor of the team. And where we feel that we need an X Factor, we will definitely use him there.”

Published – February 07, 2026 03:12 am IST