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Ramiz Raja Mocks India’s No-Handshake Policy; Aus Cricketers Join In After PAK-SA Test

Shivansh Rana | 4 min read | 5 hours ago | Oct 16, 2025 04:20 pm IST
Ramiz Raja Mocks India’s No-Handshake Policy; Aus Cricketers Join In After PAK-SA Test

The handshake debate is back. And it’s making waves. Following the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Lahore on October 15, 2025, former Pakistani cricketers Ramiz Raja and Aamer Sohail took a clear shot at India’s recent ‘no handshake’ policy, reigniting a fiery controversy that started during the Asia Cup 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • Ramiz Raja and Aamer Sohail mocked India’s ‘no handshake’ policy during commentary for the Pakistan vs South Africa Test.
  • The comments refer to India refusing handshakes with Pakistan during all Asia Cup 2025 matches due to political tensions.
  • Australian cricketers, including Glenn Maxwell and Josh Hazlewood, also released a satirical video trolling the Indian team’s stance.
  • In contrast, India and Pakistan’s junior hockey teams recently exchanged high-fives and pleasantries, showing great sportsmanship.

So, What Exactly Happened?

Look, it all kicked off during a live commentary. After Pakistan and South African players shook hands post-match, Aamer Sohail casually remarked, “Good to see both teams shaking hands. It’s getting out of fashion these days.” Ramiz Raja didn’t miss a beat, adding, “It’s getting out of hand.” Ouch. You don’t need a translator to figure out who that was aimed at.

Their comments were a direct reference to the Indian cricket teams, both men’s and women’s, who consistently refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the Asia Cup 2025. This included all three encounters, even the final. It wasn’t just a random decision, either.

The Politics Behind the Snub

Here’s the thing. This policy was reportedly India’s protest against severe political tensions that spiked after the Pahalgam terror attack and “Operation Sindoor” earlier in 2025. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. It even spilled over into the trophy ceremony, where India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB chairman.

Yeah, it’s complicated. While Pakistan lodged formal complaints with the ICC about India’s actions, those were reportedly rejected, leaving the issue simmering. Until now.

Expert Analysis

The commentary from Raja and Sohail isn’t just sideline chatter. These are former captains, influential voices in cricket. Their public mockery turns up the heat, framing India’s political stance as poor sportsmanship. It’s a classic case of sports and politics getting messy, and their words add a ton of fuel to the fire, ensuring this debate isn’t dying down anytime soon.

Social Media Storm

And it’s not just Pakistani legends. Some Aussie cricketers decided to get in on the action, too. A video featuring Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and Alyssa Healy mocking India’s handshake snub went viral just before their upcoming series against India, scheduled to start October 19. They later deleted the video, but the internet never forgets. The clip added a whole new international angle to the drama.

A Different Picture in Hockey

But honestly, it’s not all doom and gloom. Just a day before the cricket commentary drama, on October 14, a completely different scene played out. The Indian and Pakistani junior men’s hockey teams showed everyone how it’s done. After their Sultan of Johor Cup match, they were seen exchanging high-fives and pleasantries. It was a powerful display of sportsmanship that stood in stark contrast to the cricket world’s tensions.

So, what does this all mean for the future of India-Pakistan sporting ties? With the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa set for October 20-24 in Rawalpindi and India’s series against Australia kicking off, the spotlight is definitely on how players conduct themselves. Is a handshake just a handshake, or is it something more? What do you think?