ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: No Handshake Yet Again in India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup Match

Sports News: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur continued the no-handshake policy during the toss ceremony ahead of their ICC Women's World Cup group-stage clash against Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and chose to bowl first. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said there was no instruction for the players to exchange handshakes before or after the match. He mentioned that the team’s approach was the same as the men’s squad during the Asia Cup earlier this year. “The policy is unchanged. There is no order from the board for players to shake hands. The focus remains on cricket,” Saikia said when asked about the absence of the usual pre-match gesture of sportsmanship.

What's the Handshake Controversy

This issue started during the men’s Asia Cup, where India and Pakistan played three matches, including the final, which India won. Pakistan’s coach Mike Hesson had said India avoided handshakes after their first meeting, pointing to political and security reasons. The matter grew more tense after India did not accept the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman. The Indian government has kept its stance that sporting contact with Pakistan will stay limited to global or neutral-venue tournaments, with no direct series planned. Both countries last played a bilateral series in 2012–13. Their current World Cup game in Colombo is being held with strict security measures.

Pakistan’s World Cup Match Venues

Pakistan’s entire Women’s World Cup schedule is based in Colombo, while India’s matches are shared between Guwahati and Colombo. As per the current policy, if Pakistan reach the semi-final or final, those games will also take place in Colombo.

Political Context and India’s Start

Sources within the BCCI said the no-handshake rule was decided even before the short four-day conflict in April, which followed a deadly attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir and worsened diplomatic relations. India started their World Cup campaign strongly earlier this week, beating co-hosts Sri Lanka by 59 runs in a rain-affected game in Guwahati.