Women's WC 2025: India, Pakistan maintain no-handshake policy during toss
What's the story
In a continuation of the no-handshake policy in India-Pakistan cricket clashes, captains Harmanpreet Kaur (India) and Fatima Sana (Pakistan) kept their distance during the toss for the 2025 ICC Women's World Cup match in Colombo on Sunday. As expected, the latest move comes amid the ongoing political tensions between the two nations. Earlier, India refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistan counterparts during the Men's T20 Asia Cup.
Pre-match briefing
ICC briefed teams about match-day protocols
According to Cricbuzz, the International Cricket Council (ICC) match officials had planned to brief both teams about the match-day protocols. This was done to prevent any unwanted incidents on the field. The decision came after a series of controversial incidents between the two sides during the Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025. India refused post-match handshakes after beating Pakistan in each of their three matches, including the final.
Rising tensions
India refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi
The tensions escalated further during a Super Fours game when some Pakistan players made gestures on the field. After defeating Pakistan in the summit clash, India refused to receive their winners' trophy and medals from Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief. The Indian players celebrated without the trophy after a 90-minute delay when Naqvi refused to send someone else for the presentation.
Match day
Both teams go about their business
The two countries have been at loggerheads since the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack in April this year. While India responded by launching Operation Sindoor, Pakistan retaliated with drone attacks. Amid the political tensions, the two nations are locking horns in the Women's ODI World Cup at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium. As of now, neither the PCB nor the BCCI has officially raised the no-handshake issue with the ICC, as there are no specific regulations regarding handshakes in cricket.