A senior official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that there is “no assurance” that Indian and Pakistani players will shake hands when the two sides meet during the Women’s World Cup on Sunday. The remarks were made to the BBC, highlighting how strained political ties are continuing to affect cricket.
Asia Cup Controversy Lingers: No shakehands
This development follows the recent Men’s Asia Cup, held in the UAE between September 9 and 28. During that tournament, Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in all three encounters. The controversy deepened after the Indian team declined to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Political Backdrop
The Asia Cup was the first meeting between the two cricket teams since a military conflict in May. India had carried out air strikes in Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir, which Pakistan denied. The crisis de-escalated after US diplomatic intervention. Against this tense backdrop, Pakistan is now beginning its Women’s World Cup campaign in Colombo, facing Bangladesh today before the highly anticipated clash with India on Sunday.
BCCI’s Position
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told BBC Sport that he could not predict whether handshakes or hugs would take place. He emphasized that India’s position on Pakistan had not changed and confirmed that standard cricket protocols under Marylebone Cricket Club regulations would be followed. However, he stopped short of guaranteeing any gestures of sportsmanship.
Reports of Instructions to Indian Players
According to The Indian Express, BCCI sources revealed that Indian players had been advised to avoid handshakes with Pakistani cricketers. The board has assured players that it will support their decision during the tournament.
PCB Rejects Apology Claims
Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi strongly rejected Indian media reports claiming he had apologised to the BCCI over the Asia Cup trophy incident. Naqvi called the claims “fabricated nonsense” and “cheap propaganda.” He accused India of dragging politics into cricket and undermining the game’s spirit. Naqvi stressed that he was ready to hand over the trophy then and remains ready now.
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