Watch: 'Main focus is playing cricket' — Harmanpreet Kaur opens up on her handshake with Fatima Sana ahead of Women's Asia Cup 2026

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was asked about the possibility of shaking hands with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana during the Women's Asia Cup 2026. However, Kaur did not give a direct answer and said, "Our main focus is playing cricket."

India will face Pakistan in Dubai on September 5, and the handshake issue has attracted attention ahead of the match. Kaur made it clear that her team does not want external factors to distract them from their focus on the game.

Kaur had also not shaken hands with Fatima Sana during the Women's T20 World Cup earlier this year. With the issue once again in focus ahead of the Asia Cup clash, 

Watch the viral interview video of Harmanpreet Kaur here.

Harmanpreet Kaur asked point-blank about the Fatima Sana handshake

The Women in Blue captain Harmanpreet Kaur was asked directly whether she would shake hands with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana ahead of their Women's Asia Cup 2026 clash in Dubai on September 5. However, she did not give a direct answer and instead stressed that India's focus is on playing good cricket.

“We are not putting any focus on one particular team, which is going to be tough for us. All the teams have been doing well, and our focus is to play good cricket and not to take any team easily. Our main focus is just playing cricket,” Harmanpreet said at the captains' press conference.

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India and Pakistan have followed a no-handshake protocol in recent cricketing events. Harmanpreet also followed the same practice during the Women's World Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup earlier this year. The India captain is expected to continue the approach when the two teams meet in the Women's Asia Cup 2026.

'We only talk about cricket' — Inside India's no-handshake policy since 2025

Harmanpreet Kaur did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana during the Women's T20 World Cup held in June-July. The no-handshake practice between Indian and Pakistani players has been followed since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.

The practice first gained attention during the Men's Asia Cup last year, when the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. The same approach has continued during recent India-Pakistan cricket matches.

See  also -Women's Asia Cup 2026: Complete squads, schedule, telecast details and everything you need to know

Ahead of the Women's Asia Cup 2026, Harmanpreet said India would not focus on any particular opponent. She stressed that the team's main priority is to play good cricket and not take any team lightly. “We are not putting any focus on one particular team, which is going to be tough for us. All the teams have been doing well, and our focus is to play good cricket and not to take any team lightly,” Harmanpreet said.

What it means for IND vs PAK at the Women's Asia Cup 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur followed the no-handshake practice during the Women's World Cup 2025 and the Women's T20 World Cup earlier this year. The India captain is expected to maintain the same approach when India face Pakistan in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 in the UAE.

India will begin their Women's Asia Cup campaign on Sunday against Thailand. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will then face Hong Kong on September 3 before meeting Pakistan in a highly anticipated clash.

The IND vs PAK match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 5. With the handshake issue once again in focus, Harmanpreet's comments have added more attention to the much-awaited Asia Cup encounter.