Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has stated that there is no guarantee players from India and Pakistan will exchange handshakes when they meet at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
During the recently concluded men’s Asia Cup, the two teams faced each other three times, including the final, which India won. In their initial clash—a first encounter since renewed tensions between the countries earlier this year— Pakistan’s coach, Mike Hesson, claimed that the Indian team declined to shake hands.
Tensions persisted throughout the tournament, eventually leading to India refusing to accept the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“I can’t predict anything, but our relationship with that particular hostile country remains unchanged since last week,” Saikia told BBC Stumped.
“India will play the match against Pakistan in Colombo, and all cricketing protocols will be observed. I can only confirm that everything required under MCC regulations will be done.
“Whether there will be handshakes, or even hugs, I cannot guarantee at this point.”
Due to the ongoing tensions, Pakistan’s team will play all their World Cup matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with fixtures against India and other teams at neutral venues and global events only. This arrangement was set even before the brief conflict in April, which followed a deadly militant attack in India-administered Kashmir. Should Pakistan advance to the semi-finals or final, those matches will likewise be held in Colombo.
