Will we see no handshakes in the INDW vs PAKW match in ICC Women's World Cup 2025?
In the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, India and Pakistan will implement a "no handshake" policy during their match on October 5 in Colombo, reflecting ongoing political tensions.
Last Updated: 03.24 PM, Oct 04, 2025
In the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan scheduled in Colombo on October 5, the Indian women's cricket team is set to follow a "no handshake" policy with their Pakistani counterparts.
NO HANDSHAKES in India vs Pakistan women’s match
This decision aligns with the precedent set by the Indian men's cricket team during the Asia Cup 2025, where they refused customary handshakes with Pakistan players and even declined to accept the winners' trophy from a Pakistani official.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially communicated this stance to the Indian women's team, instructing them not to engage in the usual pre- and post-match handshakes with Pakistan players.
The policy reflects the heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have negatively impacted cricketing relations. Despite the longstanding cricketing tradition of players shaking hands as a sign of sportsmanship, the BCCI is standing firm with the government's position, opting for a hardline approach. The absence of handshakes will also extend to other formalities, such as no photo sessions with match officials involving both teams.
BCCI’s stance on the handshake incident
This development marks a sharp departure from previous cricket encounters, such as the 2022 Women's ODI World Cup in New Zealand, where Indian and Pakistani players shared warm moments, including Indian players interacting affectionately with Pakistan's Bismah Maroof's infant daughter.
The current scenario illustrates the intensification of off-field tensions spilling into the sport. The Indian women's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana are therefore unlikely to exchange even the most basic courtesies during their clash.
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The BCCI Secretary, Devajit Saikia, has maintained a cautious stance, saying that while all cricket protocols will be followed as per the MCC regulations, he could not guarantee the occurrence of handshakes or any gestures of camaraderie during the match.
The venue, Colombo, being neutral ground, adds to the formal nature of the encounter but does not ease the political strain influencing the teams' conduct.
Is shaking hands compulsory?
While handshakes are a customary but unofficial part of cricketing etiquette, they are not mandated by ICC protocols. So, if the players or team want to avoid the handshake, they can do it without any violations of the rule. Moreover, no team can complain about that incident as well.