ABU DHABI: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh apologised after handshake controversy during Abu Dhabi T10 League match between Northern Warriors and Aspin Stallions at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
The development came after the former spinner shook hands with Pakistan’s star bowler Shahnawaz Dahani. The pacer defended eight runs in the final over, helping his side to win a narrow four-run match over the Stallions.
Shahnawaz Dahani bowled an outstanding over as Stallions were 107/4 and required only eight in pursuit of 115. However, the right-arm pacer delivered the ball and picked up two wickets, and gave away only three runs.
At the end of the game, both teams shook hands, including Stallions skipper Harbhajan Singh.
Harbhajan Singh issued a public apology and made an insensitive remark against the sports spirit, saying that “I didn’t know that he was a Pakistani cricketer; I thought he was a ground staff, that’s why I shook hands with him.”
This comes amid strained India-Pakistan relations after the Pahalgam attack in May this year. Following the tensions, India’s men’s and women’s squads avoided customary handshakes with Pakistani players.
Notably, Harbhajan was also part of the India Legends squad that boycotted the match twice against Pakistan during the World Championship of Legends (WCL).
The Asia Cup 2025 was also marred by several incidents from start to the final match. The drama unravelled when India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy directly from Naqvi and did not attend the closing ceremony.
The trophy still sits with the ACC, awaiting an official handover should India agree to receive it at a separate event.
Notably, India’s refusal to engage in handshakes with Pakistani teams, a pattern that began during the senior Asia Cup, has now become a recurring feature across formats.
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 saw the same behaviour, and the latest chapter came on Sunday in Doha, when India A captain Jitesh Sharma and Pakistan Shaheens skipper Irfan Niazi skipped the customary handshake at the toss.
Also read: Women’s World Cup: Indian captain skips handshake
