The BCCI had instructed its players to skip the customary pre-match handshake, continuing the precedent set by the men’s team during the recently concluded Asia Cup.
The toss, conducted by Mel Jones, saw Pakistan winning and opting to field.
India, which boasts a flawless 11-0 record against Pakistan in ODIs, made a last-minute change with Renuka Singh replacing the injured Amanjot Kaur, while Pakistan substituted Omaima Sohail with Sadaf Shamas.
The hostility between the two cricketing neighbours has intensified in recent months, fueled by geopolitical tensions. The Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 Indian lives, prompted India to launch ‘Operation Sindoor,’ targeting terror infrastructure across the border.
The men’s Asia Cup clashes further underlined the friction, with Indian players refusing handshakes and declining to receive the trophy from PCB chief and Pakistani interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is known for his anti-India stance. With these developments, the cricket field has once again mirrored the strained political relationship, casting a shadow over sporting diplomacy and the traditionally cordial rituals of the game.
