India-Pakistan Women Handshake Controversy
Asia Cup Controversy Sparks Questions Ahead of India-Pakistan Women’s Clash
The recently concluded Asia Cup has come under the spotlight after India’s team appeared to breach the spirit of cricket, avoiding handshakes with Pakistan in all three of their meetings during the tournament.
The controversy deepened when India defeated Pakistan in the final and skipped the presentation ceremony, refusing to receive the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi.
With the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup set to see Pakistan and India face off again on October 5, fans and experts are now wondering whether the women’s team will mirror the men’s side’s controversial behavior.
According to Telecom Asia Sport, Pakistan’s women’s management is preparing for a possible repeat scenario. Hina Munawar, the team manager and the first woman to manage Pakistan’s men’s team, has reportedly sought guidance from the PCB on how her players should respond if India again avoids the customary handshake.
During the men’s Asia Cup clash, India’s actions left the Pakistan side in an awkward position after the first instance of refusal. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur has previously downplayed the controversy, emphasizing that her team is focused solely on cricket and not on off-field politics.
However, Indian journalist Boria Majumdar has suggested that some Indian cricketers intend to carry the same unsportsmanlike behavior into the Women’s World Cup, similar to what occurred in the Asia Cup.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) does not have a formal protocol on post-match handshakes. As a matter of tradition rather than rule, teams are free to act as they choose, leaving the on-field etiquette largely up to the players themselves.
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