Article Body
No Handshakes, Only Hard Stares: India Vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup Clash Deepens Cricket’s Cold War
Colombo | October 5, 2025
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo crackled with tension long before the first delivery was bowled. It wasn’t the noise of the crowd or the weight of the rivalry it was the silence.
At the toss of the India VS Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 encounter, Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana walked to the center, exchanged a brief nod, and turned away no handshake, no smiles, no pretence of warmth. In a sport built on respect and camaraderie, that small act or the absence of it spoke volumes.
A Rivalry That Refuses to Cool
Cricket between India and Pakistan has always carried more than runs and wickets. On this humid Sunday in Colombo, amid looming clouds and lingering political frost, even tradition fell victim to diplomacy.
India’s “no-handshake” stance dates back to the Men’s Asia Cup 2025, when Suryakumar Yadav’s side declined post-match greetings with Pakistan. What began as a symbolic gesture has since hardened into policy one that now extends to the women’s team.
The ICC, wary of controversy, had quietly briefed both sides ahead of the match. Yet when cameras zoomed in at the toss, both captains held their ground. Harmanpreet’s restrained smile met Fatima Sana’s stoic gaze and the two retreated to their respective camps.
That moment, brief but heavy, captured cricket’s growing entanglement with geopolitics more powerfully than any press statement could.
From Brotherhood to Broadcast Tensions
The roots of this silent protest trace back to the men’s Asia Cup earlier this year. What began as a post-match misunderstanding spiraled into a full-blown diplomatic scuffle. Pakistan’s Salman Agha skipped a mandated broadcaster interview, the PCB publicly released footage of a meeting with match referee Andy Pycroft, and India accused its neighbour of politicizing sport.
The fallout was swift. Pakistan faced reprimands, and India refused to collect their winners’ trophy from PCB and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. The standoff delayed the presentation by more than an hour a moment many insiders believe permanently altered cross-border cricket dynamics.
What might have been a passing episode has since evolved into a statement of defiance played out now by the women, under global spotlight.
Tension Under the Clouds
Even before play began, Colombo’s skies mirrored the mood heavy, uncertain, unpredictable.
India’s camp began their drills briskly, with laughter muted and focus sharp. Coach Amol Majumdar addressed his players in a tight huddle before Harmanpreet joined him for a quiet inspection of the center pitch. Across the boundary, Pakistan’s squad warmed up near their dugout, with Fatima Sana leading a short team address before a light catching session.
Despite the chill in the air, there were traces of humanity quick smiles between junior players, shared stretches, a nod between professionals who understand the weight of the jersey they wear.
Veteran fans remembered a very different image from the 2022 ODI World Cup, when Indian players cradled Bismah Maroof’s infant daughter after their win a moment that once symbolized warmth beyond rivalry. Three years later, that memory feels almost nostalgic, belonging to a gentler era.
On the Field, India Still Hold Command
If history is any indication, India entered this clash as overwhelming favourites. Pakistan’s women have never defeated India in an ODI losing all 11 previous encounters, most by wide margins.
This Indian side, rich in balance and depth, remains formidable. Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol lead a batting lineup brimming with experience, while Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Shree Charani anchor a spin attack that thrives on slow subcontinental pitches.
Pakistan’s young side, led by the 23-year-old Fatima Sana, have shown heart but struggle for consistency. Sidra Amin’s form, vital to their top order, has wavered in Sri Lankan conditions.
Yet, to her credit, Sana continues to speak with maturity beyond her years. “Every over against India is a test of pride,” she said ahead of the match. “It’s not about handshakes. It’s about respect — and how we earn it on the field.”
cricket diplomacy on a Knife-Edge
The no-handshake episode isn’t merely symbolic; it underscores the widening chasm between two cricketing nations whose contests once defined global cricket calendars. With bilateral series suspended for nearly a decade, neutral venues like Colombo have become uneasy substitutes for home grounds.
Behind closed doors, ICC officials reportedly debated whether to formalize a protocol to prevent similar stand-offs. Some fear it could set a dangerous precedent that political divides could erode the universal code of sportsmanship.
Public sentiment remains equally split. Many Indian fans view the stance as patriotic resolve; others lament the erosion of cricket’s spirit. Across the border, Pakistani supporters echo pride mixed with disappointment. “We want to beat India with skill, not silence,” read one placard outside the stadium.
The Final Word -- When Silence Speaks Louder Than Victory
By mid-afternoon, the inevitable monsoon arrived, sheets of rain drenching the outfield and halting play. Players retreated to their dressing rooms, and for a brief moment, the tension dissolved into shared frustration.
As thunder rolled over Colombo, it felt as though nature had intervened offering the pause that politics refused.
Whether or not the captains exchanged handshakes at day’s end remains uncertain. But one image will define this tournament: two leaders, standing firm, divided by boundaries far larger than the cricket pitch.
For now, the scoreboard may tell one story. The silence tells another.
Comments