The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has not assured whether there would be handshakes between the Indian and Pakistani players in the upcoming clash in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
The rivals are set to meet in a marquee event on October 05 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
During the recently concluded Men’s Asia Cup 2025, India and Pakistan squared off thrice, and there was no handshake between the sides, which culminated in controversy at the post-match presentation.
The group stage match on September 14 saw the first meetings India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
Suryakumar Yadav-led India refused to shake hands with Pakistan which made the PCB lodging a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
However, since post-match handshakes were not mandatory, no action was taken and the same protocol was followed for the rest of the tournament, as India refused to budge from their stance and interact with any official Pakistani player.
India refused to receive trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) who also happens to be the PCB chief and the interior Minister of Pakistan.
Speaking to the media, Devajit Saikia said that he cannot predict anything as the relations with Pakistan remain the same.
However, he assured that India will follow everyting in the rulebook. If his statement is anything to go by, then expect no handshakes between India and Pakistan players, as there is nothing mentioned about the same in the laws of the game.
“I cannot forecast anything, but our relationship with that particular hostile country is the same; there is no change in the last week,” said Devajit Saikia.
“India will play that match against Pakistan in Colombo, and all cricket protocols will be followed. I can only assure 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,” he added.
The Women’s World Cup begans on September 30 with the opening match witnessing India registering a comfortable 59-run victory over Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile Pakistan Women suffered a 7-wicket defeat against Bangladeh Women on October 02 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
