Pakistan takes dig at India over handshake in Pak-Aus T20 series promo

The promotional clip highlights Pakistani culture, hospitality and passion for cricket, while also making a clear reference to the recent no-handshake controversy.

Web Desk

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23 Jan 2026

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released a satirical promotional video ahead of the upcoming T20 series between Pakistan and Australia, taking a light-hearted swipe at India.

The promotional clip highlights Pakistani culture, hospitality and passion for cricket, while also making a clear reference to the recent no-handshake controversy.

In the opening scene, a foreign tourist is shown visiting the Badshahi Mosque before heading to a restaurant, where he is served an extravagant meal. The tourist appears concerned about who will pay the bill, only to be told that it has already been settled by “Agha Ji”.

“Agha Ji” is later revealed to be Pakistan’s national team captain, Salman Agha, while bowler Abrar Ahmed encourages the Australian visitor to enjoy the food.

In another scene, an Australian tourist travels by taxi, where the driver refuses to take the fare and instead thanks the guest for visiting Pakistan.

However, as the tourist steps out of the taxi without offering a handshake, the driver jokingly remarks that he seems to have forgotten the handshake, adding that it looks like he may have stopped by “the neighbours” as well.

This sequence has widely been interpreted as a reference to India’s decision during the 2025 Asia Cup to avoid shaking hands with Pakistani players.

The same approach was later adopted by India’s women’s and junior teams in matches against Pakistan, sparking considerable debate at the time.

Following the release of the PCB’s promo, the video has reportedly angered Indian fans.

In another segment, the character Agha Ji reinforces the message by stating that Pakistanis are known for their hospitality as a nation, but when it comes to cricket, they are always ready to compete.