As anticipated, a moment of diplomatic tension overshadowed the toss ahead of the high-stakes Women’s Cricket World Cup clash between India and Pakistan. India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, notably did not exchange the traditional handshake with her Pakistani counterpart, Fatima Sana. This decision wasn’t spontaneous but a deliberate one, mirroring a precedent recently set by the men’s team during the Asia Cup, and aligning with clear directives from the BCCI.
During the toss, expertly conducted by Mel Jones, both captains maintained a respectful but distinct distance, a silent acknowledgment of the charged atmosphere. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first, setting the stage for an intense encounter.
The Indian team, boasting an impressive 11-0 record against Pakistan in the ODI format, made one change to their lineup. Renuka Singh stepped in for the injured Amanjot Kaur. Pakistan also adjusted their squad, bringing in Sadaf Shamas in place of Omaima Sohali.
This visible lack of cordiality on the field reflects broader geopolitical tensions. The men’s Asia Cup had seen similar frosty exchanges, with Indian players refraining from handshakes before and after matches. Furthermore, the Indian team had reportedly declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board chief and holds a pronounced anti-India political stance within his government.
The relationship between the two nations is currently at a critical low, exacerbated by the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists, attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorist groups. In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a military action aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure across the border.
Teams:
Pakistan Women: Muneeba Ali, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Rameen Shamim, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Fatima Sana (c), Natalia Pervaiz, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.
India Women: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani.