Watch: Irfan Pathan and Shoaib Malik hug and shake hands after exhibition match ahead of T20 World Cup

In a rare moment of sportsmanship between India and Pakistan cricketers, Irfan Pathan and Shoaib Malik were seen sharing a brief side-hug after an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Pakistan batted first and scored 56 for 4 in four overs. Shoaib Malik led the scoring with 34 runs, while Imran Nazir added 16 runs. The short match saw quick scoring from both sides.

India replied with 51 for 4 and fell five runs short of the target. Irfan Pathan and Stuart Binny were at the crease when the match ended. After the game, the players shook hands and exchanged friendly words with the Pakistan team.

Watch the video here:

India–Pakistan Cricket Ties Hit a New Low

The cricket relationship between India and Pakistan has worsened and gone beyond normal rivalry. It has now turned into silence and tension. After the Pahalgam terror attack in early 2025, the situation became more serious and directly affected cricket during the Asia Cup.

The Indian team broke a long-standing tradition by refusing to shake hands with Pakistani players. This was not a sudden or emotional reaction. It was a clear and planned decision. The same stand was seen across all levels of Indian cricket, including the men’s, women’s, and Under-19 teams.

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On-Field Gestures Add to the Tension

Matters became worse due to aggressive actions on the field. During a big match, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf made a ‘plane crash’ gesture, which many linked to recent regional conflicts. In response, India’s Jasprit Bumrah made a similar gesture after taking a wicket. Some Pakistani players, including Sahibzada Farhan, were also seen doing mock ‘AK-47 firing’ celebrations, which many felt referred to the Pahalgam attack.

The situation reached an embarrassing level during the trophy presentation. Indian players did not acknowledge PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Reports later claimed that the trophy was removed from the stage early, and the tournament ended without a proper closing ceremony.

Later, a video of Irfan Pathan and Stuart Binny sharing a friendly moment with Pakistani players went viral on social media. This led to criticism from some fans, who were unhappy with the gesture given the tense situation between the two countries.