historic cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan added another intense chapter both on and off the field ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The top-flight opener on 14 June 2026 at Edgbaston in Birmingham attracted a huge crowd of 18,814 for their Group 1 Group 6 match. While the on-field action lived up to the billing, it was a frosty pre-match moment between the captains that set social media alight and kept a controversial modern cricket tradition alive.
Yet another India-Pakistan meeting sees Harmanpreet Kaur eschew the traditional handshake with Fatima Sana
The pre-match tension peaked during the coin toss with India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the flip and chose to bat first. Soon after Harmanpreet made his decision, he discredited the young Pakistan captain. Fatima Sanabypassing the traditional post-shot handshake to go straight to the broadcaster Mel Jones for the interview. After the interview was over, the Indian captain quickly left the presentation area.
This icy exchange was not an isolated incident, but a continuation of the strict, unwritten ‘handshake’ policy adopted by Indian cricket teams during cross-border clashes. The frosty protocol first attracted the attention of the general public among men Asian Cup 2025. Since then, this practice has trickled down at various levels of the sport and was evident in the Rising Stars Asia Cup. Under-19 Asian Cupand Under-19 World Cup.
It should be noted that the same coldness happened when Harmanpreet avoided shaking hands with Sana after the match at the previous year’s Women’s World Cup. When quizzed about the repeated snub ahead of the Birmingham clash, Harmanpreet pointedly deflected the media attention. He stated that the team is completely committed to the tactical game plan rather than letting outside chatter dictate their focus.
We present the video:
GIGACHAD HARMANPREET KAUR 😎🔥
Harmanpreet Kaur skipped shaking hands with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana and focused on work. . 💪🇮🇳🏏#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/nOYUyN0dmj
— Faruk (@uf2151593) June 14, 2026
India registered a tight win over Pakistan in the T20 Women’s World Cup 2026 match
After the political tension subsided, India’s batting unit produced an absolute masterclass to post a commanding 170/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite the early blow Shafali Verma down to just 6 in the opening, Smriti Mandhana accelerated the innings with his brilliant performance. Mandhana scored 68 runs off 44 balls which included nine fours and two sixes and scored an impressive 154.54.
Captain Kaur continued from 35 to 36 with the keeper blasting in the last over. Richa GhoshBlasting 34 off just 17 deliveries at a strike rate of 200.00, he took India to an impressive total. For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal (2/41) and Fatima Sana (2/33) was the pick of the bowlers but suffered under India’s late-over attack.
Chaining Pakistan under heavy scoreboard pressure, India’s bowling attack turned the second innings into a procession. Pakistan’s chase collapsed quickly after a decent start from the opener You see your hand (41 of 35). Spin wizard Deepti Sharma the legendary delivered his Player of the Match magic, completely demolishing the middle and lower order to finish with stunning figures of 5 wickets for just 10 runs in 4 overs.
supported by Shree Charani‘s sharp 3/21, India bowled out Pakistan for 106 in 17 straight overs. Captain Fatima Sana Verma was dismissed for a duck as Pakistan lost their last five wickets for just 15 runs, handing India a comprehensive 64-run victory to start their World Cup campaign in style.
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
