India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana declined to shake hands at the toss ahead of their ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 group clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
The decision mirrors the stance taken by India’s men’s team during the recently concluded Asia Cup, when they also refused handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts. Reports indicate that the women’s side was advised by the BCCI to follow a similar approach.
ICC guidelines for the Women’s Cricket World Cup do not make handshakes compulsory. Action is only considered if players’ conduct is deemed to contravene the spirit of the game.
Political tensions between the two countries have escalated following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, and subsequent Operation Sindoor. India and Pakistan met thrice in the Asia Cup earlier this year, with Indian teams refusing handshakes on each occasion.
Since the Champions Trophy, both teams have been playing ICC and ACC events at neutral venues, a practice that will continue through 2027. Consequently, Pakistan will play all its Women’s World Cup 2025 matches in Colombo.
Also read: Pakistan lodges protest with ACC as Indian team refuses handshake
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