After reading and reading rule 2.19.1 over and over... I agree that transfer of player possession from the hander to the "handee" must occur for it to be handing... either forward or backward.
So back to A1 attempts to hand the ball forward to A2.
If "botches" means A2 never had player possession, then it
is not illegal handing, just a plain old fumble.
If "botches" means A2 had player possession at all, then loses the handle, then we have illegal handing and a fumble.. live ball foul.
At least I learned something in all of this.
Always a good thing.