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India and Pakistan Continue No-Handshake Protocol in Women’s Asia Cup
India and Pakistan played each other in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai.
Before cricket matches, captains often shake hands.
This time, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana did not shake hands.
They also did not shake hands after the coin toss.
Indian cricket teams have been following this practice since tensions between the two countries increased in April 2025.
The practice first became noticeable during the men’s Asia Cup in September 2025.
It has since appeared in several men’s, women’s, and junior matches.
Saturday’s toss showed that the practice is still continuing.
India and Pakistan’s captains did not shake hands during Saturday’s Women’s Asia Cup toss in Dubai.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana also avoided a handshake after the toss proceedings ended.
The policy has been followed by Indian senior, age-group, men’s, and women’s teams since diplomatic tensions arose in April 2025.
The no-handshake stance began during the men’s Asia Cup in September 2025, when India faced Pakistan three times.
Saturday’s meeting confirmed that the protocol remains in effect for India’s women’s team.
- Who
- India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, representing their women’s cricket teams.
- What
- The captains continued India’s no-handshake protocol during and after the toss.
- Where
- Dubai International in Dubai.
- When
- Saturday, during the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup Group A clash.
- Why
- The protocol follows diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan since April 2025.
Key facts
- Match
- India versus Pakistan, 2026 Women’s Asia Cup Group A
- Venue
- Dubai International, Dubai
- Captains
- Harmanpreet Kaur for India and Fatima Sana for Pakistan
- Protocol
- No handshake during or after the toss
- Policy history
- Indian teams have followed the stance since September 2025
- Earlier precedent
- India avoided handshakes with Pakistan during all three meetings at the September 2025 Men’s Asia Cup
Quotes
Amol Muzumdar
India women's cricket team head coach
“We try to play the best cricket that we know on that particular day and we will speak about this when we play that game. But at the moment, we are focusing on tomorrow's game. One game at a time.”
thehansindia.com
“Look, we try to play the best cricket on the ground and off the field stuff, we don't focus on it.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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