BCCI Asks Women’s Team Not to Shake Hands with Pakistan Ahead of World Cup

After the men’s team chose not to shake hands with Pakistan players during their Asia Cup triumph, the BCCI has reportedly given the same advice to the women’s team. Ahead of their ICC Women’s World Cup league match against Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday, the players have been told to avoid the post-match handshake, The Indian Express has reported.

BCCI Advises Women’s Team to Skip Handshakes with Pakistan at World Cup

The message to avoid handshakes, at the toss or after the game, was delivered just before the women’s team departed for Sri Lanka on Wednesday, BCCI sources said. “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,” the sources said.

India’s men’s team played Pakistan three times in the Asia Cup in the UAE, including the final, where they won by five wickets. For the women’s team, the upcoming match against Pakistan will be their second game of the World Cup. They started their campaign with a win over Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Tuesday.

The Asia Cup saw many mentions, both on and off the field, of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. There were also references to India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror bases in PoK and Pakistan, leading to a short military standoff.

Following the final, India refused to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister and cricket board chief. Subsequently, the BCCI accused Naqvi of taking away the trophy.

BCCI Walks Out of ACC Meet Over Trophy Row, Naqvi Refuses to Apologise

During an online ACC meeting on Tuesday, BCCI officials said Naqvi could not clearly explain when the trophy and medals would be sent. Because of this, they left the meeting halfway through.

“Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologised to the BCCI nor will I ever do so… As ACC chairman, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me,” Naqvi said.

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