“There will be no customary handshake” - BCCI ahead of Indian women’s team clash against Pakistan in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025

After the Indian men’s team thrashed the Pakistani team thrice in the recent Asia Cup 2025, including in the final of the tournament, the women’s teams are set to face off against one another in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 tournament, which got underway on September 30.

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The Indian Women’s team made a winning start to their World Cup, defeating Sri Lanka in the tournament opener in Guwahati. Now the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will face off against Fatima Sana’s Pakistan Women’s team in Colombo on Sunday, October 5.

Ahead of the game, there had been speculations about whether the Indian women will shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, while a PTI report stated that the BCCI has asked the women’s team not to do so.

“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," the quoted source said to PTI.

But there is yet to be any confirmation from the BCCI, but secretary Devajit Saikia has given a hint as to what might happen.

“I cannot assure you of anything.”- BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on whether the India women’s team will shake hands with the Pakistani team

Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), responded to reports of no handshaking or mingling in the India Women vs. Pakistan Women 2025 Women's World Cup match on Sunday in Colombo, stating that the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team will follow all rules.

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

According to Pakistani media, the Pakistani women's squad is preparing for the potential that India could extend its boycott, and its team manager, Hina Munawar, has requested guidance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on the next steps.

According to Indian media sources, neither the PCB nor the BCCI has discussed the issue with the ICC, which has no formal handshake policy. Handshakes are customary but not required and are usually exchanged between captains and at the end of matches.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur did not receive a clear stance briefing from the BCCI.

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