Pakistan Handshake Promo Ahead of T20 World Cup Stirs Debate
Pakistan’s latest cricket promotion has stirred fresh debate across the subcontinent, with the pakistan handshake promo being widely interpreted as a subtle dig at India ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The short video, released to promote Pakistan’s T20I series against Australia, has reignited memories of the controversial handshake episode involving India and Pakistan last year.
The Speculated Pakistand Handshake Promo Released by PCB
Pakistan cricket board release #PakvsAus promo..#handshake #indvsnzt20 pic.twitter.com/96UHkFnjQt
— Haral (@FakharHaral) January 22, 2026
The promo largely focuses on projecting Pakistan as a welcoming cricket destination, showcasing local culture, fans, and matchday atmosphere. However, it is the closing moments of the video that have drawn attention. In the final scene, a visitor walks away without exchanging a customary handshake, followed by a remark suggesting that the guest may have “learnt it from the neighbours.” The line, delivered in a light-hearted tone, has been widely viewed as a reference to the earlier handshake row involving India.
That controversy dates back to the Asia Cup in 2025, when players from the Indian Cricket Team chose not to engage in the post-match handshake with Pakistan. The decision, taken in the backdrop of heightened tensions following a terror attack in Pahalgam, quickly became a talking point beyond cricket, drawing strong reactions from fans, former players, and commentators on both sides of the border.
With the new promo, many believe the Pakistan Cricket Board has deliberately revisited that moment, even though India is not involved in the upcoming Australia series. Supporters of the move see it as playful banter and psychological gamesmanship, while critics argue that it unnecessarily revives a sensitive episode and shifts focus away from cricket.
The timing of the promo has further fuelled discussion, coming just weeks before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where India and Pakistan could once again find themselves under intense global spotlight. As reactions continue to pour in on social media, the episode underlines how off-field narratives can quickly resurface in one of cricket’s most closely watched rivalries.
For now, the pakistan handshake promo has ensured attention, but it has also reopened a chapter many believed had already been closed — reminding everyone that when it comes to India-Pakistan cricket, even a few seconds of video can carry lasting resonance.
