In recent times, handshakes in cricket have become topics of discussion. Rather than anticipating what wil happen in the game, fans are more hyped if there will be handshakes or not when certain teams play. Players from India and Pakistan tend to avoid them due to political tensions. A fiery Test series, full of verbal battles, sledges and a lot of bad blood, has now led to a new controversy over Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and the Bangladesh team.
Days after Bangladesh completed a 2-0 sweep over Pakistan, wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das alleged that Rizwan refused to shake hands with Bangladesh players after both Test matches. The two-match series was already heated after verbal fights between the two camps.
Stump-mic controversy and no handshakes
The tension between Litton and Rizwan had been brewing throughout the series. During the second Test in Sylhet, Rizwan’s complaints about movement behind the sightscreen delayed play and frustrated the Bangladesh players.
A heated exchange followed behind the stumps. Litton questioned the delay, prompting Rizwan to respond, “Is that your job, mine, or the umpire’s?” The viral clip quickly became one of the major talking points of the match.
Bangladesh players then mocked Rizwan’s actions on the stump microphone. Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto were heard jokingly quoting the famous Bollywood film Hera Pheri. “Zyada acting, zyada acting! Yeh overacting ke liye pachaas paisa katega pachaas.” The sledging continued throughout the match as Bangladesh looked to unsettle one of Pakistan’s most experienced batters.
Litton’s explosive allegation after Bangladesh’s 2-0 sweep
However, Litton believes the rivalry crossed a line after the matches ended.
“I disliked one thing. Whatever happens on the field, once the game is over, everyone should shake hands. After the first Test defeat, Rizwan didn’t come to shake our hands, which is very bad,” Litton told Prothom Alo. “He did the same thing in the second Test as well. He may have an issue with me, but the entire Bangladesh team did nothing to him.”
Litton went even further, describing Rizwan’s behaviour as “fully unprofessional“.
“The whole Pakistan team did handshakes with us. Only he didn’t. It was fully unprofessional of him. Both teams are playing for pride. But you should shake hands no matter the outcome. This act from Rizwan sticks out.” The Bangladesh wicketkeeper also revealed that Rizwan was specifically targeted because of his importance to Pakistan’s batting lineup. “I know there are only two batters in the Pakistan team that can trouble us — Babar Azam and Rizwan. Rizwan’s average is high against Bangladesh. I wanted to do something to put him under pressure.”
Bangladesh eventually backed up the sledging with performances, completing a comprehensive 2-0 series victory. The Tigers have now beaten Pakistan in four consecutive Test matches.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan in last four Tests
| Result | Venue |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh won by 10 wickets | Rawalpindi |
| Bangladesh won by 6 wickets | Rawalpindi |
| Bangladesh won by 104 runs | Dhaka |
| Bangladesh won by 78 runs | Sylhet |
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