India Faces pakistan in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Amidst Continued No-Handshake Policy
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India and Pakistan clashed in their second match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World cup 2025 on October 5th, adding another layer to a complex sporting rivalry.
The match, held at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, saw Pakistan captain Fatima Sana win the toss and elect to bowl first, meaning the Indian team would bat first.The contest unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing diplomatic tensions, manifesting in a continuation of the “no-handshake” policy adopted by both teams.
No Handshakes, familiar Ground
The gesture of foregoing handshakes between captains was repeated during the toss, mirroring a similar stance taken by the Indian men’s team during the Asia Cup 2025.During that tournament, Indian players refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts in all three matches.This policy reflects a broader trend of limited engagement between the two nations.
A senior official from the Board of Control for Cricket in india (BCCI) clarified that the board had not issued any directive to players regarding shaking hands with the Pakistani team. “The policy remains unchanged. Players have not been instructed to shake hands. Our focus is solely on the game,” the official stated.
Echoes of the Asia Cup Controversy
The issue first gained prominence during the Men’s Asia Cup, where India and Pakistan faced off three times. At that time, the Indian team consistently avoided handshakes both before and after matches. According to reports, the Pakistani team’s coach, Mike Hesson, attributed the Indian team’s actions to security and political sensitivities. The situation escalated further when the Indian team declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin naqvi.
Limited Bilateral ties
The Indian government has previously indicated that sporting relations with Pakistan will be limited to ICC-organized tournaments or events held at neutral venues. The last bilateral cricket series between the two countries was played in 2012-13. For the Women’s World Cup, the Pakistani team is based in Colombo, while India is playing matches in both Guwahati and Colombo. India began their campaign with a strong 59-run victory over Sri Lanka.
Team Lineups
India Playing XI: Pratyka Raval, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper), Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Nallapureddy Charani, Kranti gaur.
Pakistan Playing XI: Muneeba Ali,Sadaf Shamas,Sidra Amin,Rameen Shamim,alia Riaz,Sidra Nawaz (Wicketkeeper),Fatima Sana (Captain),Nat
Expanded News Report:
Why: The no-handshake policy stems from ongoing diplomatic and political tensions between India and Pakistan. It’s a symbolic protest against broader issues affecting relations between the two countries.
Who: The policy is being enacted by the Indian cricket team, with the support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), though no formal directive was issued. The Pakistani team is aware of and has acknowledged the situation. Key figures include the captains of both teams, Fatima Sana (Pakistan) and Harmanpreet Kaur (India
