“I Don’t Know What Is…”: Wahab Riaz Left Confused After India’s Handshake Snub vs Pakistan Sparks Fresh Tension at Women’s T20 World Cup

The India–Pakistan cricket rivalry once again found itself at the centre of attention, not for a thrilling finish, but for a moment of silence at the end of the match.

During the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash at Edgbaston, Pakistan head coach and former fast bowler Wahab Riaz admitted he was left confused by India’s decision not to engage in the customary post-match handshake.

Following Pakistan’s 64-run defeat, Riaz said he did not understand the reason behind the gesture being skipped, though he added that such incidents “do not make a big difference” to the outcome of the game.

“I don’t know what is the reason behind not shaking hands. But if things want to move like this, let it go like that. It won’t make a big difference,” Wahab said during the post-match press conference.

A Gesture That Has Become a Talking Point

The handshake issue between the two teams has reportedly been ongoing since the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, following heightened tensions after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor.

Since then, India and Pakistan teams have only come face-to-face in ICC or ACC tournaments, with the post-match handshake tradition reportedly being avoided by the Indian camp.

While the cricketing action continues on the field, the symbolic gestures off it have increasingly become a subject of debate.

India Dominate With Ball After Strong Batting Display

On the field, India delivered a commanding performance led by spin and discipline.

Batting first, India posted a competitive 170/6, powered by a fluent 68-run knock from opener Smriti Mandhana and a quick-fire 17-ball 34 from Richa Ghosh, which gave the innings crucial late momentum.

However, it was the bowling attack that completely shifted the match in India’s favour.

Pakistan’s chase collapsed under pressure as wickets fell in quick succession. The spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani dismantled the batting lineup with precision and control.

Deepti Sharma produced a record-breaking spell, claiming 5 wickets for just 10 runs, the best-ever bowling figures by an Indian bowler in Women’s T20 World Cup history. Her performance also ranks among the top three bowling figures in the tournament’s history.

Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 106 in 17 overs, handing India a comprehensive victory.

“Very Difficult to Make a Comeback”: Wahab Admits Collapse

Reflecting on Pakistan’s batting collapse, Wahab Riaz acknowledged the turning point came in the middle overs.

“We really went well in the powerplay. We needed to score seven and eight an over for the next three-four overs without losing wickets,” he said.

“Very unfortunately, from the seventh over to the 13th over, we lost five wickets in a row. In a T20 game, it is very difficult to make a comeback after that,” he added.

The defeat has now dented Pakistan’s net run rate, leaving them in a tight spot early in the tournament.

What Lies Ahead for Both Teams

The results have set up contrasting paths for the two sides.

Pakistan will now face South Africa Women’s Cricket Team on June 17 at the same venue in a crucial group-stage encounter.

Meanwhile, India will take on the Netherlands Women’s Cricket Team at Headingley, Leeds, also on June 17, as they look to continue their dominant start to the tournament.

Beyond the Scoreboard

While India’s commanding win highlighted their growing strength in women’s cricket, the handshake controversy ensured that the match will be remembered for more than just runs and wickets.

As Wahab Riaz put it, results on the field remain the ultimate measure — but in high-voltage encounters like India vs Pakistan, even the smallest gestures continue to carry a larger weight beyond the boundary line.

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