Alastair Cook said the no-handshake gesture between India and Pakistan players was only for show, claiming they continued to speak behind closed doors.
The rivalry between India and their neighbours Pakistan has tilted heavily in favour of the Men in Blue in recent years. India extended their record to 8-1 against Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cups after registering a dominant win in Sri Lanka in the ongoing 2026 edition.
In the latest episode of Stick To Cricket, former England cricketers and pundits Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, David Lloyd and Phil Tufnell shared their views on what many now see as a one-sided contest. “Dare I say it, Pakistan against India, that’s a mismatch, isn’t it,” Tufnell said.
Vaughan agreed and said Pakistan appeared overawed in the contest. “I mean it look to me that way. It seems to me every time Pakistan play India they look intimidated by India on a cricket field,” Vaughan added.
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He also expressed disappointment over the growing tension surrounding the fixture. “That whole situation in sour isn’t it? You know, it is just sad.” Vaughan further criticised the lack of customary greetings between the players.
“Not shaking hands on a cricket field,” Vaughan exclaimed in dismay over the current situation between India and Pakistan, who have been advised by their governments to not greet the other on the field with the customary handshake.
Cook Reveals India-Pakistan Players Chatting
However, Cook offered a different perspective. He suggested that the ‘no-handshake’ gesture was largely symbolic and did not reflect the real relationship between players.
“But aren’t they talking behind closed doors? I read somewhere that everyone’s just chatting away,” Cook chimed in. “It like, it is only for show, isn’t it? On the actual field, they are not shaking hands, but then behind closed doors, they are all talking and are all fine,” the southpaw stated.
India and Pakistan met in their Group A fixture last week at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. India delivered a commanding performance and secured a massive 61-run victory.
Batting first, India posted 175 runs, powered by Ishan Kishan’s 77-run knock. In response, Pakistan were bowled out for 114. Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah picked up two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Verma claimed one wicket apiece.
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