Bulawayo: The group-stage clash between India and Bangladesh at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 got underway on Saturday without the customary pre-toss handshake, an unusual moment that drew attention before the first ball was bowled.
India’s captain Ayush Mhatre walked out for the toss, while Bangladesh was represented by vice-captain Zawad Abrar. While it marked India’s second outing in the tournament, the match was Bangladesh’s opening fixture of the competition.
The absence of the traditional greeting comes against the backdrop of strained relations between the two countries, particularly following reports of violence against minority communities in Bangladesh. In recent weeks, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed concerns over player safety and had formally approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking the relocation of its matches outside India.
Those concerns were raised shortly after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requested the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad for the IPL 2026 season, a move that was subsequently implemented.
ICC Maintains Stand on Security
ICC officials, however, have reiterated that independent security assessments do not support claims that Bangladesh faces unacceptable risks while playing in India. According to sources, internationally recognised security experts have rated the overall risk for ICC events in India as low to moderate, a level consistent with other major global sporting tournaments.
The assessments reportedly found no specific or direct threats to the Bangladesh team, its officials or match venues. Fixtures scheduled in cities such as Kolkata and Mumbai were deemed manageable through standard security planning and mitigation measures.
The ICC has acknowledged public statements made in recent days regarding Bangladesh’s participation in upcoming events, including selective references to security evaluations. Officials said that, as with all ICC tournaments, security arrangements remain under constant review.
T20 World Cup Schedule Unchanged
Despite ongoing discussions with participating boards, including the BCB, the ICC has made it clear that there is no change to the published schedule of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The governing body said it expects all teams to adhere to their participation commitments.
Bangladesh are set to begin their T20 World Cup campaign on February 7 against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They will also play Italy and England at the same venue before concluding the group stage with a match against Nepal on February 17.
The ICC has stressed that it continues to work closely with the BCCI and local authorities, expressing confidence in India’s track record of hosting major international sporting events safely.
While Saturday’s U-19 match proceeded without incident, the missing handshake served as a subtle reminder of the broader diplomatic and sporting tensions surrounding cricket ties between the two neighbours.
