Wasim Akram’s hug with Rohit Sharma sparks debate amid Indo-Pak tensions

A friendly exchange between Pakistan cricket great Wasim Akram and India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma has stirred controversy in Pakistan following the high-profile T20 World Cup 2026 clash in Colombo.

The two former and current stars shared a warm embrace and brief chat near the boundary after the India-Pakistan encounter, a gesture that quickly went viral on social media. While many fans appreciated the display of camaraderie, others questioned the timing, given the strained political climate between the two nations.

Tensions had already been evident before the match at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. During the toss, India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav refrained from shaking hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. The absence of post-match handshakes between players and support staff further highlighted the frostiness surrounding the fixture.

Against that backdrop, Akram and Rohit’s friendly interaction stood out. Critics on Pakistani television debated whether such warmth was appropriate at a time when on-field gestures between the two teams were noticeably restrained.

Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad addressed the issue on his YouTube channel, suggesting that Akram’s sportsmanship should not be misconstrued. He remarked that the legendary pacer has always upheld cricketing etiquette and saw no reason for undue criticism.

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Ex-fast bowler Mohammad Amir also weighed in, expressing confusion over the mixed messaging. He pointed out that if Pakistan ultimately chose to participate despite earlier boycott discussions, then symbolic gestures like handshakes or brief interactions should not trigger controversy.

Notably, Rohit was present in Colombo as a brand ambassador for the tournament. Before the match, he joined Akram in carrying the trophy onto the field during the pre-match ceremony, alongside International Cricket Council CEO Sanjog Gupta. The pair appeared relaxed and cordial, underscoring the personal respect shared between the two cricketing icons despite the charged atmosphere surrounding the contest.