From Asia Cup to Women’s World Cup, the Indian team had adopted a policy of not shaking hands with Pakistani players. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has not yet given the Asia Cup trophy to Team India. Obviously the feeling of anger among the Indian fans will be at its peak. Meanwhile, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh was seen shaking hands with Pakistani player Shahnawaz Dahani.

This is the case of the ongoing T10 League in Abu Dhabi, where on Wednesday, Harbhajan Singh’s team Aspin Stallions suffered a close 4-run defeat at the hands of Northern Warriors. In April this year, 26 innocent people lost their lives in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which also affected the game of cricket. Team India did not join hands with Pakistani players even in the Asia Cup and Women’s World Cup.

Therefore, when Harbhajan Singh laughingly shook hands with Pakistani fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, a big controversy arose. Controversy has also arisen over Harbhajan because he himself has said that India should not play any bilateral series with Pakistan. At the same time, the Indian team did not play the match with Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends. Harbhajan Singh was also one of the cricketers who talked about not playing with Pakistan.

Harbhajan Singh shared a warm handshake with Shahnawaz Dahani after the Abu Dhabi T10 match
Dahani responded with a smile — makes you wonder why we don’t see the same energy in international fixtures. Interesting contrast. pic.twitter.com/TAQwC47DVQ

— Abbey (@CrickTrack360) November 19, 2025

Shahnawaz Dahani gave a match-winning performance, taking 2 wickets for 10 runs. Dahani reached Harbhajan, shook hands with him and there was some conversation between the two. Looking at the viral pictures, it appeared as if Harbhajan Singh was the first to extend his hand for the handshake.

In July – Harbhajan Singh withdrew from the match against Pakistan in the WCL.

In November – Harbhajan Singh was seen shaking hands with Pakistan’s Shahnawaz Dahani in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.
pic.twitter.com/iOagN019sI

— RCB Nation (@RCBtweetzz) November 20, 2025

Also read:

Batsman who scored a century in the 100th Test of his career, how many Indians did this? Know here

A scene was seen in the Abu Dhabi T10 League which caught everyone’s attention. Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh and Pakistan’s fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani were seen shaking hands with each other after the match. This incident has happened at a time when in recent tournaments, players of India and Pakistan have been known to maintain distance from each other.

Bhajji and Dahani faced each other for the first time in the match

Northern Warriors and Aspin Stallions were face to face in the match played on 19 November. Harbhajan Singh entered this match as the captain of Aspin Stallions. Shahnawaz Dahani was playing for Northern Warriors. Batting first, Northern Warriors scored a strong score of 114/1 in 10 overs. Harbhajan spent only 8 runs in his 1 over. The lone wicket for Stallions was in the name of Timal Mills.

Harbhajan Singh handshake with Shahnawaz Dahani. Now where is the patriotism of Indians? #AbuDhabiT10 @iihtishamm pic.twitter.com/4ZFfgP2ld3

— Ather (@Atherr_official) November 19, 2025

Thrilling run chase and Harbhajan’s run out on the last ball.

Chasing the target of 115 runs, Aspin Stallions had a bad start and the entire team was reduced to just 110/7 in 10 overs. Harbhajan Singh was run out while trying to score runs on the last ball, due to which his team had to face defeat by 4 runs.

The star bowler of this match was Shahnawaz Dahani, who spent only 10 runs in 2 overs and took 2 wickets to lead his team to victory.

Both players shook hands after the match

After the end of the match, Harbhajan Singh along with his captaincy team came to shake hands with the rival players. At the same time, Shahnawaz Dahani also came forward and both of them shook hands warmly. This scene was special because in recent times, Indian players have maintained distance from Pakistani players in tournaments like Asia Cup and Rising Star Asia Cup. Even after winning the T20 Asia Cup, Suryakumar Yadav had refused to shake hands with ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The tension between the players of both the countries was clearly visible.

Questions raised on Harbhajan’s old statement

The interesting thing is that Harbhajan Singh had earlier given statements against cricket relations with Pakistan several times. He had said that until relations become normal, both sports and business should be stopped.

But this incident of Abu Dhabi T10 surprised the fans, because Bhajji himself was seen shaking hands with the same Pakistani player, towards whom his attitude was different earlier.