KARACHI Kashmir English): Indian women may also repeat handshake snub at the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup match against Pakistan on October 5 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Indian sports journalist Boria Majumdar wrote in a social media post that the upcoming women’s fixture would carry the same off-field tensions witnessed during the recent Asia Cup, where Indian side repeatedly refusing handshake with Pakistani players, drawing criticism for unsportsmanlike behaviour.
“The India-Pakistan game in Colombo will not be another cricket match. It will be a continuation of the Asia Cup, and the only thing that changes is the gender,” Majumdar wrote in a post on X, suggesting a possible refusal of handshakes, heightened drama, and political undertones.
“There will be no handshakes, lots of off-field drama and heightened stakes,” the Indian journalist claimed.
During the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025, India, who met Pakistan three times, to defeat at every occasion including final, were widely criticised for bringing politics into sport.
Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in all the three encounters during the tournament.
Indian side declined to accept trophy
The Indian side further declined to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi because he is a Pakistani, and also made politically charged remarks in post-match ceremonies and press conferences.
As per sources, Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has rejected BCCI repeated demand to hand over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy.
There is no response from the PCB on the matter yet.
