NEW DELHI: India’s women’s cricket team continued with the ‘no handshake’ policy during their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup clash against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday. At the toss, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana did not shake hands, continuing a trend that has been followed in recent India-Pakistan cricket encounters.After India registered a convincing 64-run victory over Pakistan, Pakistan head coach Wahab Riaz, during the post-match press conference, was asked about the absence of handshakes.“I’m sorry to ask this, but we noticed there were no handshakes again today. What’s the relationship like between the players and the staff from the two different teams? Are you friendly behind the scenes, or is it just frosty?” a reporter asked Riaz.The former Pakistan fast bowler, who represented his country in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs and 36 T20Is, responded:“See, I don’t know. I just left cricket way before, so I don’t know the reason for not shaking hands. But I think if things want to move like this, let’s go like that. It won’t make a big difference.”

India vs Pakistan ‘no-handshake’ policy

The ‘no handshake’ approach between the Indian and Pakistan teams has been in place since the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian Armed Forces last year.The practice was first noticed prominently when former India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav avoided a handshake during the Asia Cup in Dubai. Since then, Indian teams have largely maintained the policy at the toss and after matches against Pakistan.A similar scene was witnessed earlier this year during the Women’s ODI World Cup match in Colombo, where Harmanpreet and Fatima also did not shake hands.Speaking on the eve of India’s T20 World Cup opener, Harmanpreet had kept the focus firmly on cricket.“I think we are here for cricket, and we only talk about cricket, except that we don’t talk about anything. Cricket has been our dream from day one, and we only discuss cricket and tomorrow’s game,” Harmanpreet had said.India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Netherlands and South Africa. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side will next face the Netherlands on June 17 at Headingley in Leeds.