Pakistan and India footballers displayed sportsmanship during their SAFF Championship encounter in Dhaka, exchanging handshakes before and after the match despite recent handshake controversies in cricket between the two countries.
India defeated Pakistan 3-2 in a closely contested opening match of the SAFF Championship on November 5, 2026, but the result was accompanied by a display of mutual respect between players from both sides.
The pre-match and post-match handshakes attracted attention against the backdrop of recent tensions during Pakistan-India cricket encounters, where players had avoided customary handshakes.
Footballers Display Sportsmanship Amid Cricket Controversy
The contrast was particularly noticeable following incidents during the 2025 Asia Cup, when Indian cricketers declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts.
Ahead of the Dhaka fixture, Indian coach Naushad Moosa had indicated his willingness to embrace Pakistani players if the situation called for it.
Indian captain Nathan Rodrigues also described handshakes as a normal part of the game, while Pakistan captain Alamgir Ghazi highlighted the difference between football and cricket, saying football is known as the beautiful game.
The encounter also featured a largely young and reserve-player-based Indian squad for the tournament.
The players’ interaction offered a contrasting example of sporting conduct between the neighbouring countries, even as India secured a narrow 3-2 victory.