The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has addressed an incident at the toss prior to Bangladesh’s opening match against India in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
In an official statement, the BCB clarified that the absence of a handshake between Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar and India captain Ayush Mhatre was entirely unintentional. Regular captain Azizul Hakim was unable to attend the toss due to illness, and Abrar represented the team in his place. The Board said that there was no intent to show discourtesy or disrespect towards the opposition.
“The BCB has viewed the matter with due seriousness,” the statement said, “as upholding the spirit of cricket and respect for opponents is a fundamental prerequisite for representing Bangladesh at any level. The team management has been advised accordingly, and players have been reminded of their responsibility to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and mutual respect in all interactions with opposing teams.”
The incident sparked immediate discussion before the match, which started at 1:30 pm Bangladesh time. After the toss, Mhatre stepped away and Abrar did not move forward for a handshake. While the moment was brief, it highlighted broader tensions that have recently surfaced in cricket relations between Bangladesh and India, including issues surrounding Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL.
The match referee, Dean Koska, conducted the toss, with Abrar making the call after the Board’s decision to send him in place of the captain. Bangladesh won the toss, and play began as scheduled.
The BCB reiterated its commitment to cricket’s values, stating that respect for opponents and the spirit of the game remain central to all levels of play. The incident has been treated as a learning moment for the team, while discussions continue with the ICC over Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup in India, with the government maintaining its position on player and supporter safety.
