Harbhajan Singh shakes hands with Pakistan cricketer in Abu Dhabi T10 league, video goes viral

Published - 20 Nov 2025, 10:02 IST | Updated - 20 Nov 2025, 10:25 IST

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh shook hands with Pakistan bowler Shahnawaz Dahani during the post-match pleasantries after the conclusion of Match 3 of the Abu Dhabi T10 league 2025. Harbhajan is currently captaining Aspin Stallions in the ninth instalment of the tournament, and this gesture of the former cricketer seems to have caught the fire of controversy.

Harbhajan's gesture came under scrutiny online amid the current political tensions between India and Pakistan due to the Pahalgam attack which occurred earlier this year. Since that episode, the Indian team, both men's and women's — have avoided shaking hands with Pakistan whenever they have taken them on in a match.

Interestingly, Harbhajan and a few other retired Indian cricketers refused to play against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends. They collectively cited that “blood and sweat cannot co-exist”. Harbhajan and the rest of the players' boycott meant that Pakistan qualified for the final after India conceded a walkover in the semi-final.

The trend of not taking part in handshakes was first seen during the Asia Cup. Suryakumar Yadav's unit did not shake hands with the opposition in any of the three matches played throughout the tournament in the UAE. The same followed at the Women's World Cup, as well as the recent Rising Stars Asia Cup contest between India A and Pakistan Shaheens.

Speaking about the T10 clash at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on November 19, Harbhajan's Stallions side lost the encounter by four runs. They scored 110/7 in their 10-over quota, as compared to Northern Warriors' 114/1 in the first innings. The Punjab-born conceded eight runs in the one over he bowled.

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Dahani ended up securing the Player of the Match award for ending up with figures of 2/10 in a couple of overs. He picked up the wickets of Saif Hassan (15 off 11) and Tymal Mills (0 off 1). Harbhajan was run-out for 1 off 1 on the final ball of the match.