COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: The captains of India and Pakistan once again avoided shaking hands before their Women’s World Cup match in Colombo on Sunday, extending the chill that has spilled into cricket since the men’s Asia Cup earlier this year.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana and India’s Harmanpreet Kaur stood side by side at the toss but did not exchange a handshake, marking a continuation of the recent gesture of non-engagement between the two teams.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier said there would be no change in policy regarding relations with Pakistan, with Secretary Devajit Saikia telling the BBC that he could not “forecast anything” but that “our relationship with that country remains the same”.
The decision follows the men’s Asia Cup 2025, where Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after matches, a move widely criticised across the cricketing community.
India’s men’s team also declined to receive the winner’s trophy from Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi, who also chairs the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Tense Political Backdrop
The diplomatic tensions reflect the strained political ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who only meet in cricket during multinational tournaments and on neutral grounds.
India and Pakistan last played each other in the men’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates, where the contest was marred by on-field confrontations and off-field political statements. That tournament marked their first meeting since the conflict in May when Indian forces attacked Pakistani cities and Pakistan retaliated and downing six Indian fighter jets, including Rafale.
For the Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s fixtures are being played exclusively in Colombo under a hybrid model agreement to avoid travel to India.
On-Field Focus
At Sunday’s toss at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Fatima Sana chose to bowl first.
“The pitch looks good and the weather is dry. We’re confident after the qualifiers and hope to play good cricket,” she said, adding that 250 runs would be a competitive total.
India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur offered a brief smile but no formal greeting, as players from both sides also skipped the traditional pre-match handshake before the national anthems.
Pakistan have never beaten India in women’s one-day internationals, losing all 11 previous encounters.
Tournament Schedule
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 runs from 30 September to 2 November across India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will play all their group-stage matches in Colombo. Should they qualify for the semi-finals and final — scheduled for 29 October and 2 November respectively — those matches will also take place at the same venue.
Pakistan Playing XI
Muneeba Ali, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Rameen Shamim, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Fatima Sana (c), Natalia Pervaiz, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.
India Playing XI
Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani.
