Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that Pakistan will not initiate handshakes with the Indian cricket team if India chooses not to, emphasizing that Pakistan also has no particular desire to do so. He reiterated Pakistan's stance that cricket and politics should remain separate, a principle reportedly reinforced by the Prime Minister. Naqvi stressed that any engagement would be on equal footing, and Pakistan would not back down if India adopts a certain approach. This response follows India's reported no-handshake policy since the Asia Cup in September.