In a display of sporting spirit that transcended one of cricket's fiercest rivalries, former international stars Irfan Pathan and Shoaib Malik shared a warm hug. The gesture occurred during the post-match handshakes following a high-stakes IND vs PAK IND vs PAK F2 Double Wicket Clash at World Cricket Festival  (WCF) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The moment, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has been hailed by fans as a testament to the enduring camaraderie between players from the two neighbouring nations, while critics argued the display of camaraderie was inappropriate given the national climate. PCB Takes Dig At India For 'No-Handshake Controversy' With Promotional Video for PAK vs AUS T20I 2026 Series.

Shoiab Mailk and Irfan Pathan Share a Hug as Players Indulge in Handshakes

The exchange took place after a thrilling match in the F2 Double Wicket World Cup, a headline event of the four-day World Cricket Festival. This innovative format features teams of just two players who alternate batting and bowling over a limited number of overs

Match Outcome

The India vs Pakistan clash lived up to its billing as a "blockbuster" fixture. Pakistan ultimately secured a narrow five-run victory, defending a total of 56 in their allotted four overs. Shoaib Malik was instrumental in the win, playing a fiery knock of 34 runs, while Irfan Pathan led the Indian charge in a chase that fell just short at 51 runs. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Responds to India's 'No-Handshake' Policy With Pakistan Across Competitions, Says 'Whatever Happens, It Will Happen On An Equal Footing'.

Handshake Controversy

The handshake controversy stems from a 'no-handshake policy' adopted by Indian cricket teams following the Pahalgam terror attacks and Operation Sindoor in 2025.

Tensions escalated during the 2025 Asia Cup, where Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha. This stance extended to the Women’s and Under-19 teams as a mark of national solidarity.

TruLY Score by LatestLY
Rating:2

TruLY Score 2 – Unverified | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 2 on LatestLY. It relies on a single source or posts by social media users, with no independent verification. The content should be viewed with caution and should not be shared without further validation from credible sources.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2026 02:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).