COLOMBO – The strained ties between India and Pakistan were on full display on Sunday when captains Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana skipped the traditional pre-match handshake before their Women’s World Cup clash in Sri Lanka. The gesture, usually regarded as a symbol of sportsmanship, was notably absent as tensions between the neighbouring nations remain high following military conflicts in May that nearly escalated into open war.
The frosty atmosphere echoes last month’s men’s Asia Cup, where India refused to shake hands with Pakistan’s players before or after their matches, despite defeating them three times, including in the September 28 final in Dubai. Indian players also declined to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister.
In Colombo, Sana won the toss and opted to field, saying the overcast conditions and moisture on the pitch could favour her bowlers. “On this wicket, anything under 250 would be a good total to defend,” she said. Kaur remained unfazed, emphasizing India’s familiarity with Sri Lankan conditions after a successful tri-series earlier this year that included South Africa. “We played a lot of cricket here and have the experience. Now it’s about staying positive and playing good cricket,” she said.
Due to ongoing diplomatic and security concerns, bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan remains suspended, limiting their encounters to multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues. While India is hosting the Women’s World Cup, Pakistan’s matches are being staged exclusively in Colombo under a special International Cricket Council arrangement.