CWC25: Will Harmanpreet Kaur have to shake hands with the Pakistani captain?

By Ravi - Sep 30, 2025 04:25 PM
Last updated on Sep 30, 2025 04:25 PM

During the Asia Cup, Indian players did not shake hands with Pakistani players, and captain Suryakumar Yadav did the same during the toss. The last three matches were played between India and Pakistan. Now, next Sunday, India and Pakistan will face each other in the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup. This will be an ICC tournament (ODI World Cup 2025), not an ACC tournament. So, will Harmanpreet Kaur do the same, or can she?

The Indian Express, citing sources, reported that the BCCI is considering options to prevent the Indian women's team from shaking hands with Pakistani players. However, a BCCI official also stated in the report that the board will follow protocol.

IND vs PAK Women's ODI World Cup 2025

The same thing happened in the final of the Asia Cup 2025. The Indian team neither shook hands with the Pakistani players nor accepted the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. Instead of handing the trophy to Team India, Naqvi sent it back, which sparked considerable controversy. All eyes are now on Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana, who will face each other on October 5th. The India Women vs. Pakistan Women match will take place in Colombo on October 5th.

What is the discussion going on in the cricket world?

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, while talking to ARY News, said, We should call back the team. We should not play cricket with them, we have to take a decision.

Speaking to The Indian Express, former Indian women cricketers said the decision rests with Harmanpreet Kaur. Shobha Pandit, who played in the 1978 ODI World Cup, said, The situation and reality of the conflict, as well as the politics that has entered the game, will put pressure on the game and the players. But I will support Team India and Harmanpreet, whether they shake hands, hug or don't talk.

he said: The Pakistani team is also human, they also play the same game as we play, so maintain patience and respect.

Sandhya Agarwal said: Harmanpreet Kaur should do the same as Suryakumar. A similar situation is likely to arise. Harmanpreet should do the same against Pakistan as Suryakumar did, but I don't want to add to the pressure.

Harmanpreet Kaur said: All we can control is playing cricket, and we're not thinking about anything else. But I have no control over the rest of the things, and I'm not even thinking about them. We don't discuss these things in the dressing room; we're just here to play cricket.

Are there any rules regarding players shaking hands in cricket?

There is no clear rule requiring a player to shake hands with a player from the other team, but in the spirit of the game, it is followed in almost all matches. After the Pahalgam attack, the Indian team captain and players angrily refused to shake hands with Pakistani players, even though it was an ACC tournament and the World Cup is an ICC tournament. Because of this, the ICC did not take much action in that case, but if it had happened at an ICC event, ICC protocol would have been applied.

Also Read: Women World Cup 2025 opening ceremony: Time, performers, how to watch

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