Overview

• Pakistan defeated India 2-0 in the Maldives with set scores of 26-9 and 34-12 to start the Commonwealth Beach Handball Championship.
• Ahmed Hussain earned Man of the Match for a standout performance that controlled the pace of play.
• Players from both teams exchanged handshakes and friendly gestures after the match in a clear display of sportsmanship.
• Coverage contrasted the scene with reports from the Asia Cup T20 that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav avoided a handshake with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha and that the Indian team went straight to the dressing room.
• Indian media reports cited by BOL News said head coach Gautam Gambhir instructed India’s cricketers to skip handshakes, and the accounts drew criticism, while Pakistan now prepares to face Maldives and Sri Lanka next.