No handshake between Pakistan and India again at Women’s World Cup match

Diplomatic strains between India and Pakistan appeared to spill onto the cricket field again on Sunday when India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana skipped the customary handshake before their Women’s Cricket World Cup match.

The two captains stood apart at the toss in Colombo, barely acknowledging each other as Sana won the toss and opted to field first. “We’re going to bowl first — looks like there could be some moisture on the wicket,” she said.

The gesture echoed the strained atmosphere seen during the men’s Asia Cup last month, when Indian players repeatedly refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts — even after India’s three victories, including the September 28 final in Dubai.

Relations between the two countries have sharply deteriorated since military clashes in May, which nearly escalated into open conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Adding to the frosty dynamic, India’s men’s team had also declined to accept the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.

India and Pakistan’s women’s teams have faced each other multiple times in international cricket, with India maintaining an unbeaten record against their rivals in one-day internationals.