India hammered Pakistan by 64 runs in their Women's T20 World Cup 2026 opener.
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and retaliatory Operation Sindoor, Indian men and women cricketers have skipped handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts in every official meeting.
The policy was also followed at Edgbaston on Sunday (June 14). At the toss, Harmanpreet and Fatima Sana didn’t exchange greetings and the post-match pleasantries were snubbed as well.
During the post-match press conference, Pakistan head coach Wahab Riaz was asked about the no-handshake controversy. While Wahab doesn't understand the exact reason behind it, he claimed that it doesn't make a “difference.”
Here's how the conversation unfolded:
Reporter: “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?”
Wahab Riaz: “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.”
Coming to the match, India posted 170/6 on the board after opting to bat first, thanks to Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant half-century (68 off 44) and Richa Ghosh’s terrific cameo (34 off 17).
Despite a solid foundation by Muneeba Ali (41 off 35), Pakistan’s run chase unraveled completely when Deepti Sharma affected a game-changing run out to dismiss the set opener.
The middle order crumbled against Deepti (5-10 in 4 overs) and left-arm spinner Sree Charani (3-21 in 4 overs), with Pakistan losing their last seven wickets for just 31 runs to be bowled out for 106 in 17 overs.
Reflecting on the crushing defeat, Wahab said: “I think we have given away 15-20 runs, having another extra fielder in the last 2 overs in the circle. I think that also gave them the momentum that only 3 fielders in the boundaries, but I believe that still 15 to 20 runs I think we have given away."
“See, there are a few positives. I think the way the fight they have put up, the fight in the bowling and then coming on with the batting. There are some glimpse of positiveness, and we will take that. We know it is always going to be a game of nerves, and I think we are working hard on it. And they have been trying their level best, and you win one, you lose one. Unfortunately, we were on the losing side today,” he added.