Islamabad/Melbourne: Tensions between India and Pakistan have spilled off the cricket field and into social media once again. Ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming T20 series against Australia, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a promotional video that appeared to mock India over the recent “no-handshake” controversy.
The Controversial Promo
The short video, aimed at promoting Pakistan’s domestic T20 series against Australia, features a scene where an Australian fan interacts with a taxi driver. As the fan tries to leave, the driver, speaking in Urdu, remarks: “You forgot the handshake; looks like you stopped by the neighbors too.” The jab references the recent decision by Indian players to avoid handshakes with Pakistan after matches during the Asia Cup 2025.
Background of the Handshake Controversy
The “no-handshake” issue arose after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. Indian men’s captain Surya Kumar Yadav and women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose not to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. Yadav later explained that the gesture was a mark of respect for the victims of the Pulwama terrorist attack and the Indian Armed Forces, not a sign of poor sportsmanship.
Marketing or Misstep?
Sports analysts suggest that PCB leveraged this sensitive issue in their promotional campaign to generate social media buzz ahead of the series. The video also features Pakistan T20 captain Salman Ali Aga welcoming tourists, blending cricket promotion with a pointed political undertone.
The video has already sparked discussions online, raising questions about whether sports diplomacy should ever be mixed with marketing stunts.
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