The gesture was a stark contrast to recent India-Pakistan fixtures where handshakes were avoided.
India's blind women's cricket team demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship by shaking hands with the Pakistan counterparts at the Women’s T20 World Cup for the blind in Colombo on Sunday (November 16).
The match at Katunayake BOI Grounds saw India registering an emphatic eight-wicket victory, but it was the post-match scenes that caught everyone’s attention. Both teams lined up for warm handshakes, shared a bus to the venue, and exchanged compliments after the game.
The gesture was a stark contrast to recent India-Pakistan fixtures where handshakes were avoided.
During the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in September, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts as the games were played amidst heightened tensions between two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack and retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
The arch-rivals faced each other thrice in the continental event and India emerged victorious on all occasions, including the title clash. In all three meetings, the Men in Blue refused to shake hands and exchange post-match pleasantries with the Pakistan players.
Coming to the Women’s T20 World Cup match for the blind, there was no handshake at the toss, reflecting the diplomatic tensions. However, the post-match conduct painted a different picture.
While there was no handshake at the toss, reflecting the diplomatic tensions that have characterised recent India-Pakistan cricket encounters, the post-match conduct told a different story.
In the game, Pakistan’s innings was restricted to 135 all out. India’s chase was clinical as captain Deepika TC anchored the innings with 45, while Anekha Devi remained unbeaten on 64, guiding the team to 136/2 in just 10 overs.
Pakistan skipper Nimra Rafique congratulated India on their stunning display, while Deepika praised Pakistan’s fighting spirit.