![[WATCH] Harbhajan Singh shakes hands with Pakistan player in Abu Dhabi T10 League, video goes viral](https://cricketmood.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bhajji.jpg "[WATCH] Harbhajan Singh shakes hands with Pakistan player in Abu Dhabi T10 League, video goes viral 1")
Harbhajan Singh, a former Indian cricketer, shakes hands with Pakistan spinner Shahnawaz Dahani after the third match of the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2025. Harbhajan is currently captaining the Aspin Stallions in the tournament’s ninth season, and the former cricketer’s gesture appears to have sparked controversy.
Harbhajan’s act drew criticism online amid ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam assault earlier this year. Since then, the Indian men’s and women’s teams have avoided shaking hands with Pakistan anytime they have faced them in a match.
Check the video of Harbhajan Singh’s handshake here
Harbhajan Singh handshake with Shahnawaz Dahani. Ab kahan gai patriotism indians ki. #AbuDhabiT10 @iihtishamm pic.twitter.com/4ZFfgP2ld3
— Ather (@Atherr_official) November 19, 2025
Interestingly, Harbhajan and a few other retired Indian cricketers refused to play against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends. They collectively cited that “blood and sweat cannot co-exist”. Harbhajan and the rest of the players’ boycott meant that Pakistan qualified for the final after India conceded a walkover in the semi-final.
The trend of not taking part in handshakes was first seen during the Asia Cup. Suryakumar Yadav’s unit did not shake hands with the opposition in any of the three matches played throughout the tournament in the UAE. The same followed at the Women’s World Cup, as well as the recent Rising Stars Asia Cup contest between India A and Pakistan Shaheens.
Speaking about the T10 clash at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on November 19, Harbhajan’s Stallions side lost the encounter by four runs. They scored 110/7 in their 10-over quota, as compared to Northern Warriors’ 114/1 in the first innings. The Punjab-born conceded eight runs in the one over he bowled.
Dahani ended up securing the Player of the Match award for ending up with figures of 2/10 in a couple of overs. He picked up the wickets of Saif Hassan (15 off 11) and Tymal Mills (0 off 1). Harbhajan was run-out for 1 off 1 on the final ball of the match.
India
