ABU DHABI: In a rare moment of goodwill amid ongoing India–Pakistan cricket tensions, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh and Pakistan fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani shared a warm handshake after an intense Abu Dhabi T10 League match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Dahani produced a spectacular final over to secure a dramatic four-run win for Northern Warriors against Aspin Stallions, successfully defending eight runs in the last six balls. With the Stallions needing just eight to reach the 115-run target, Dahani held his nerve, conceding only three runs while taking two crucial wickets to close out the game.
As players from both sides lined up for post-match greetings, Harbhajan Singh — leading the Stallions — shook hands with Dahani, creating a moment that immediately caught attention across social media.
Background: Handshake Boycotts Amid India–Pakistan Tension
The gesture stood out given the strained sporting relations between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in May 2025. Since then, both India’s men’s and women’s teams have refrained from customary handshakes with Pakistani players across multiple tournaments.
Harbhajan himself was part of the India Legends team that twice boycotted matches against Pakistan during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) earlier this year.
Tensions also spilled into the Asia Cup 2025, where India declined to receive the trophy from ACC President Naqvi and skipped the official closing ceremony. The trophy remains with the ACC headquarters as India has yet to accept it formally.
The pattern continued at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 and most recently in Doha, where India A captain Jitesh Sharma and Pakistan Shaheens skipper Irfan Niazi skipped the traditional handshake at the toss.
Wednesday’s brief exchange between Harbhajan and Dahani thus offered a rare positive moment amid an otherwise frosty phase in India–Pakistan cricketing relations.
