Women’s WC: India maintain ‘No handshake’ stance in the match against Pakistan
India and Pakistan faced off again in a Women’s ODI World Cup match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. The game began with a clear message: no handshakes. Both captains, India’s Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan’s Fatima Sana, did not exchange the usual greetings after the toss, even after Pakistan chose to bowl first.
The gesture follows the Indian men’s team’s “no‑handshake” policy that started at the 2025 Asia Cup, where the Indians avoided handshakes with Pakistan and refused to accept the tournament trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s interior minister and the Asian Cricket Council president.
India’s move comes amid tense political ties with Pakistan, highlighted after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Despite playing 11 times in this format—India winning every encounter—both sides came into the game with different results. India had just beaten Sri Lanka, while Pakistan were still chasing their first point after a defeat to Bangladesh.
India made a single change to their XI, bringing in pacer Renuka Singh Thakur for Amanjot Kaur. Pakistan also added Sadaf Shamas, replacing Omaima Sohail.
With the match underway, fans watched as the two teams showed sporting spirit despite a backdrop of national rivalry. The outcome could add another chapter to the long‑standing India‑Pakistan cricket rivalry.
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