India vs Pakistan: BCCI clarifies stand on handshake protocol for Women’s World Cup 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 has not only delivered thrilling cricket but also stirred up intense political drama. Incredibly, three consecutive Sundays witnessed India and Pakistan facing off, with tensions spilling beyond the field.

The Indian men’s team, after their final win, made headlines by refusing to shake hands with the Pakistan players. They also declined to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who doubles as a Pakistani minister. This decision by skipper Suryakumar Yadav set a strong precedent that drew significant attention worldwide.

With this backdrop, all eyes will now shift to the Women’s World Cup 2025. Harmanpreet Kaur, leading the Indian women’s side, will inevitably be under the spotlight when her team takes on Pakistan. How she and her squad handle the high-pressure atmosphere, both on and off the pitch, will be keenly watched, adding another layer of intrigue to the storied rivalry.India Women

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Will India Women Follow the ‘No Handshake’ Trend?

When asked whether the Indian women’s team would take the same stance as the men’s side during the upcoming ODI World Cup clash against Pakistan, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia avoided giving a direct yes-or-no reply.

Instead, he emphasized that the overall equation between India and Pakistan remains unchanged. His statement suggested that the dynamics off the field continue to influence cricketing relations, and the recent developments in the Asia Cup have not altered the broader picture. This leaves the approach of the women’s team open to speculation as they prepare for their high-stakes encounter.

Devajit Saikia said, “ I cannot forecast anything, but our relationship with that particular hostile country is the same; there is no change in the last week. India will play that match against Pakistan in Colombo, and all cricket protocols will be followed.”

He further said, “ I can only assure that whatever is in the MCC regulations of cricket, that will be done. Whether there will be handshakes, whether there will be hugging, I cannot assure you of anything at this moment.”

Given the tense political climate between India and Pakistan, it seems improbable that players from both sides will engage in handshakes during their Women’s ODI World Cup clash. The atmosphere surrounding the rivalry has gone beyond the cricket field, and gestures of camaraderie appear unlikely when the two teams face each other on the global stage.

A source of BCCI said, “ The BCCI is aligned with the government, and there will be no customary handshake at the toss, no photo-shoot with the match referee, and no end-of-game handshakes. The policy followed by the men will also be implemented by the women.”