In a move echoing the Indian men's cricket team's actions during the Asia Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the Indian women's team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will not participate in customary post-match handshakes with Pakistan during their ICC Women's World Cup encounter in Colombo. This decision follows a precedent set by the men's team, who declined handshakes and refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan's federal interior minister, during their clashes in the UAE.

Former Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim, speaking on a JioStar programme, addressed the potential impact of this stance on the upcoming match. "The BCCI has made its stance very clear that the Indian women's team will behave in the same manner as the men's team did in the Asia Cup," Karim stated. He emphasized that the team is prepared to handle external pressures and focus on performance, noting, "The Indian team management and players would have worked on simulations to perform under such circumstances. The best solution is to remove outside noise and concentrate on the game."

Karim downplayed concerns about escalating tensions, suggesting that once the game begins, the focus will shift to cricket. "Initially, there may be a little distraction, but once on the field, everybody would love to focus on the game," he remarked. He also highlighted the significant disparity in quality between the two teams, stating, "In women's cricket, there is a huge gulf in terms of quality. The Indian women's team is far ahead in resources, skill set, and support from the BCCI."

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Despite acknowledging Pakistan's key players, such as Sidra Amin, who recently scored back-to-back centuries against South Africa, and captain Fatima Sana, Karim believes India remains the dominant side. "India has moved ahead of a team like Pakistan. They are not a threat, but they are worthy opponents. India would be well advised to do their homework," he advised.

Looking at the broader challenges for India in the World Cup, Karim pointed to the tournament's length and the need to maintain form and fitness. "For someone like Smriti Mandhana to maintain form throughout the tournament is a huge challenge," he noted. He also stressed the importance of recovery for key players and managing the pressure of high expectations, as India is considered a strong contender for the title.

As the Indian women's team prepares for their high-stakes clash with Pakistan, their focus remains on delivering a strong performance while navigating the diplomatic nuances set by the BCCI's firm stance.

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