India and Pakistan will face off in the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup on October 5 in Colombo, but a handshake between players remains uncertain. Devajit Saikia, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), stated that there is no guarantee Indian players will shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the game.
In an interview with BBC, Saikia explained, “I cannot forecast anything, but our relationship with that country (Pakistan) remains unchanged, there is no change in the last week.” He emphasized that all cricket protocols, including those outlined by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), would be followed, but he could not assure whether handshakes or hugs would occur.
His comments follow the unsportsmanlike conduct displayed during the Asia Cup, where India’s men’s team faced criticism for refusing to shake hands with Pakistan’s players and for making political statements during post-match ceremonies and press conferences. Additionally, India did not accept the winners’ trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Indian sports journalist Boria Majumdar further fueled the tension, predicting that the Women’s World Cup match would mirror the Asia Cup’s off-field drama, with no handshakes and increased political undertones. He wrote on social media, “There will be no handshakes, lots of off-field drama and heightened stakes.”
Meanwhile, a PCB source told Geo News that the message from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to the women’s team remains the same as the one delivered to the men’s team during the Asia Cup, advising them to express themselves freely.
