The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has addressed the question of whether the Indian women's cricket team will engage in the customary handshake with Pakistani players during their upcoming Women's World Cup match. The response indicates a continuation of the policy implemented during the Men's Asia Cup, where handshakes were foregone amidst escalating tensions.
According to reports, the BCCI has instructed the women's team to refrain from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts during their ICC Women's World Cup league match in Colombo on October 5. This decision mirrors the stance taken by the men's team during the Asia Cup in Dubai. A senior BCCI source, speaking anonymously, stated that the board is aligned with the government, and therefore, there will be no customary handshake at the toss, no photo-shoot with the match referee, and no end-of-game handshakes. The same policy that was followed by the men's team will be implemented by the women's team.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the matter, stating that he could not guarantee whether handshakes or hugging would occur. He assured that all Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) regulations would be followed during the match in Colombo. When questioned about the relationship between the two countries, Saikia referred to Pakistan as a "hostile country" and stated that there had been no change in the relationship recently.
The decision to forgo handshakes reflects the strained relationship between India and Pakistan, particularly in the realm of cricket. Tensions were further heightened after the Asia Cup, when Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi reportedly refused to hand over the winner's trophy to Suryakumar Yadav. Additionally, the Indian men's team declined to accept the trophy from a Pakistani representative. It has been suggested that a former player or pundit from a neutral nation will present the toss at the Women's World Cup match in Colombo.
This decision marks a stark contrast to the 2022 ODI World Cup in New Zealand, where images of Indian players interacting warmly with Pakistani players and their families circulated widely. The upcoming match between India and Pakistan is anticipated to be highly charged, with minimal interaction between the two teams.
