high tension confrontation between India and Pakistan too ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 it attracted global attention even before the ball was bowled, but not entirely for cricketing reasons. The Indian captain during the toss of the deciding Super Six match on Sunday Ayush Mhatre He appeared to avoid the customary handshake with the Pakistan captain Farhan Yusifa moment that has since gone viral on social media platforms.
Ayush Mhatre avoids shaking hands with Farhan Yousaf
The incident happened shortly after the coin toss, with Pakistan winning and electing to field first. As Mhatre completed the formality of the toss, onlookers saw him move away from the customary handshake with his opposite number. Within minutes, clips of the moment began to circulate on the Internet, sparking intense debate among fans.
While the clip is controversial, it is not the only incident that has happened in recent India-Pakistan matches. Over the past few months, similar scenes have taken place at various levels of the game. Whether in men’s internationals, women’s cricket or age-group tournaments, the captains of both countries often avoid shaking hands during the toss, reflecting the complex political and emotional backdrop that accompanies contests between the two arch-rivals.
We present the video:
Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf wins the toss and Pakistan will bat first!
With the semi-finals looming, the Indian colts are set for a fiery show! 👊🏻#ICCMensU19WC | #INDvPAK 👉 NOW LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/dPzP8noBCr pic.twitter.com/NrtST11Dwz
— Star Sports Football (@StarFootball) February 1, 2026
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India recovers from early setback
As for the contest, after winning the toss, Pakistan’s bowling decision first proved effective as India struggled against disciplined bowling and movement with the new ball, slumping to 47 for 3. As the innings threatened to open, Vedant Trivedi stepped with a discreet and responsible knock. Showing maturity beyond his years, Trivedi absorbed the pressure, converted the strike efficiently and punished loose deliveries to steady the Indian batting.
Despite losing two more wickets in the middle stages, India were able to take some control thanks to Trivedi’s tenacity. The right-hander scored a vital half-century, anchoring the innings as India crossed the 160-run mark in 35 runs. With the match still underway, his strike emerged as a potential turning point in a contest already defined by off-field stories as much as on-field performances.
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