In light of the cricket disputes between the two nations, former India captain Kapil Dev has stated that Indian players are bound to abide by the government's stance on dealings with Pakistani players.

The remarks were made after the Indian women's team defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final and declined to accept the Asia Cup 2026 trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The tense cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have once again come into sharp focus as a result of the incident.

“If the government has taken a decision not to shake hands with Pakistani players, then the players have no choice. In such matters, players will go by what the government says,” Kapil Dev told India Today.

The no-handshake trend between India and Pakistan players began during the Men's Asia Cup 2025. The tournament had happened a few months after the Pahalgam terrorist attacks and Operation Sindoor, and the Pakistani players and Mohsin Naqvi had made some unsavory remarks about the incidents.

This led to Indian players not shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts, and since then the trend has continued, including the women's teams in ICC and ACC tournaments. 

Kapil Dev also discussed the former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 following his conviction in corruption cases.

“Imran Khan deserves humane treatment. That is our basic demand,” Kapil Dev said.

Several former cricketers, including the likes of Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Moin Khan and Pat Cummins, have spoken out and called for Khan to be treated with dignity.