Women’s World Cup 2025: BCCI clarifies handshake policy amid India vs Pakistan tensions

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially clarified its position on the handshake policy for the upcoming India vs Pakistan ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 clash. The much-anticipated match will be played in Colombo on October 5, but unlike past encounters, there will be no customary handshakes or joint team gestures.

This comes in the wake of the Asia Cup 2025 men’s final, where the Indian team not only refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts but also declined to accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi. Following that precedent, the BCCI has extended the same approach to the women’s side.

Speaking on the matter, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia refrained from giving a direct answer on handshakes but emphasized that “India’s diplomatic and sporting relationship with Pakistan remains unchanged and tense.”

According to multiple reports, the women’s team has been informed that:

While MCC cricketing protocols will be followed, the absence of these traditional gestures is now official policy for both men’s and women’s teams.

The decision comes against the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, both of which have escalated tensions between the two countries. The BCCI’s stance aligns with the Indian government’s diplomatic position, further underlining how politics and cricket remain deeply intertwined in the India-Pakistan rivalry.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has chosen not to wade into the controversy, stating that her team’s focus remains firmly on on-field performance. However, the contrast with earlier encounters – such as the 2022 ODI World Cup in New Zealand, where both teams showed warmth and camaraderie – highlights how dramatically the atmosphere has changed.

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The confirmation of a no-handshake policy adds another layer of intensity to what is already one of the most high-voltage fixtures in world cricket. With politics shaping sporting protocol, the India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 clash is set to be remembered as much for off-field symbolism as for on-field action.

For fans worldwide, the India vs Pakistan contest in Colombo will not just be a game, it will be a test of cricketing focus in the shadow of strained bilateral ties.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.