Wahab Riaz Breaks Silence On No Handshake Row After India Defeat Pakistan
India dominate Pakistan while Wahab Riaz responds to no-handshake controversy.
A post-match discussion at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in Birmingham turned attention toward off-field protocol on Sunday after no handshakes were observed between the Indian and Pakistani women’s teams. The match, held at Edgbaston, ended with India securing a commanding win. However, the absence of customary handshakes at the toss and after the game quickly became a talking point. The incident added another layer of scrutiny to the already high-profile rivalry between the two sides.
During the post-match press conference, Pakistan coach Wahab Riaz was asked about the relationship between the two teams and whether players and support staff interacted amicably behind the scenes. The reporter prefaced the question with an apology, acknowledging its sensitive political undertone. Riaz responded briefly, stating he was not aware of the reason behind the lack of handshakes and suggested it would not significantly impact the game or its broader dynamics.
On the field, India women's national cricket team delivered a dominant performance, defending a total of 170 and restricting Pakistan women's national cricket team to just 106 runs. India’s disciplined bowling attack maintained pressure throughout the innings, steadily breaking partnerships after Pakistan’s early promise. The victory marked a strong start to India’s campaign in the tournament and reinforced their historical edge in the rivalry.
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A standout performance came from spinner Deepti Sharma, who produced a remarkable five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5–10. Her spell proved decisive, as she dismantled Pakistan’s middle and lower order with sharp accuracy and control. With this performance, she also became the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20 international cricket history, further underlining her impact at the highest level.
Pakistan’s innings showed early resistance, but momentum shifted rapidly after key breakthroughs. Fatima Sana and Muneeba Ali attempted to stabilise the chase, but regular wickets halted their progress. A crucial run-out and a cluster of dismissals in quick succession left Pakistan struggling at 77–5 before they eventually collapsed under sustained pressure from India’s bowling unit.
Despite the on-field intensity, the match again highlighted the subdued off-field interaction between the two sides, with no handshake exchanged before or after play. While India continues to dominate recent encounters, encounters between the teams remain closely watched for both sporting and symbolic significance. The focus now shifts to upcoming fixtures as both sides continue their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns.
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