The Asia Cup 2025 is expected to continue in “Handshek Boycott” women’s teams as well as the Women’s World Cup 2025. It is uncertain whether Harmanpreet Kaur and India’s women cricketers are ahead of their struggle against Pakistan.
India and Pakistan faced each other thrice in 15 days during the recently concluded Asia Cup, but the tournament was overscreated by on-field and off-field controversies. The issue began when the Indian team avoided handshake with Pakistan players after their group-off match.
In particular, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent several emails to the ICC about the handshake dispute. In Blue, men maintained their stand in the following encounters and under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, defeated Pakistan in the final to achieve the Asia Cup 2025 title.
Pakistan Women’s Team Manager wants PCB guidance ahead of India’s conflict in the World Cup
According to Telecom Asia Sport, Pakistan’s women’s team manager Hina Munwar has consulted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to guide the players’ conduct before the group-phase against India on 5 October in Colombo.
It comes amidst expectations that Harmanpreet Kaur’s side could continue “Handshek Boycott”, which was first seen in the men’s team after the Pahgam terror attack, claiming 26 civilians.
India’s other reports indicate that neither PCB nor BCCI has contacted the ICC about the handshake issue. The ICC has no formal protocols controlling handshakes, which is a traditional gesture celebrated by the Captain in the toss and at the conclusion of the matches.
We can control only one thing – Captain Harmanpreet Kaur
Asked about Indo-Pak controversies during the Asia Cup at the ICC Pre-Tournament Captain Press Conference, India’s female captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to remain non-caste. The BCCI did not inform him on the matter, and the team is fully focusing on cricket.
“Well, we can only control one thing that is playing cricket on the field and we are not thinking of other things,” Harmanpreet said.
“Because as cricketers, we can only control those things in our hands. But in other parts, I have zero control, and I do not even take those things in my mind. We do not even discuss those things in the dressing room. We are only to play cricket and our focus is only on cricket,” he said.
India-Pakistan clash attracts global attention in ICC and ACC tournaments
India-Pakistan attracted global attention despite being played in the ICC and ACC tournament. India’s women’s team has faced Pakistan in only 11 Odis and 16 T20s. Women have won all ODIs in Blue and have lost only three T20I.
Pakistan had earlier opted to travel to India for a quadrilateral program on security concerns, hosting the tournament in Colombo, with ICC protocol players strictly regulating the interaction.
India started the Women’s World Cup 2025 on a positive note, defeating Sri Lanka by 59 runs at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on 30 September. India posted at 269/8 at 269/8 at 269/8 in 47 overs and banned Sri Lanka in a rain-fed match at 211/8. Deepti Sharma scored fifty and took three wickets.
Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill was disqualified for India after disappointing Asia Cup 2025
