It’s not just about sports anymore or so it seems. Continuing the hardline stance first seen during the men’s Asia Cup, the BCCI has advised the Indian women’s team not to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during ICC Women’s World Cup league fixture in Colombo on Sunday, the Indian Express reported.
According to IE, the directive was communicated to the team before their departure to Sri Lanka on Wednesday. “The team won’t be shaking hands with the Pakistan team during the World Cup. The team has been informed by the BCCI bosses about this. The Indian board will stand by its players,” sources told IE.
Asia Cup marred with controversies
Earlier this month, the men’s team faced Pakistan three times in the UAE during the Asia Cup. India went on to beat Pakistan in every game and win the Asia Cup title for the record ninth time. During that tournament, the players refrained from handshakes.
For the women, Sunday’s clash will be their second league game after starting their campaign with a victory against Sri Lanka in Guwahati. Both Indian teams are playing Pakistan only at neutral venues, following the BCCI-PCB agreement. This will be the fourth consecutive Sunday featuring an India-Pakistan cricket contest in a politically charged backdrop.
Asia Cup trophy row
The Asia Cup itself was shadowed by references to the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in PoK. After the final, India refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister and PCB chief. The BCCI later accused Naqvi of taking away the trophy.