Pakistan Chooses Fielding, No Handshake with India

Salman Agha decided to field after winning the toss against India, but a handshake between the captains was skipped before the T20 World Cup Group A match. The game went ahead after Pakistan reversed a boycott that had been in support of Bangladesh, who declined to tour India over safety worries and were replaced by Scotland. India’s side was bolstered by the return of opener Abhishek Sharma, who is currently ranked number one in T20 batting and had missed earlier games because of a stomach illness. The team also swapped seamer Arshdeep Singh for left‑arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav.Salman explained that the decision to field was “tacky” but could give bowlers a better start, and he noted that the group is relaxed and focused on the match. Suryakumar Yadav, India’s captain, was fine with batting first and said the team had already won two games by defending their totals. He acknowledged that the match carries extra meaning because of recent tensions between the countries, but urged his players to stay present and play their best. India currently tops Group A thanks to a superior net run rate, while Pakistan also holds four points from two matches. The teams feature a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.