BCCI Secretary Shuts Down Speculation Over India-Pakistan Women’s Cricket Handshake
In the wake of rising anticipation ahead of potential India-Pakistan women’s cricket encounters in upcoming ICC events, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reaffirmed its unchanged diplomatic stance. “Our relationship with that particular hostile country is the same,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated, dashing hopes of a symbolic on-field handshake between the teams .
What This Means for Upcoming Tournaments
With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 and Asia Cup fixtures looming, fans and analysts alike have speculated whether the Indian women’s team would follow the precedent of past sporting diplomacy—like the 2019 men’s ODI series handshakes—or maintain distance in line with geopolitical tensions.
Timeline of India-Pakistan Cricket Diplomacy (Women’s Cricket)
- 2012: First-ever India vs Pakistan women’s T20I played at ICC Women’s World T20 (no bilateral series since).
- 2022: Teams meet in Commonwealth Games—minimal interaction, no handshake observed .
- 2025: BCCI confirms “no change” in protocol ahead of possible 2026 World Cup clash .
Comparison: Men’s vs Women’s Team Protocols
| Aspect | Men’s Team | Women’s Team |
|---|---|---|
| Last Bilateral Series | None since 2012–13 | Never held |
| Last ICC Meeting | T20 World Cup 2022 | Commonwealth Games 2022 |
| On-Field Interaction | Occasional handshakes (e.g., 2019 WC) | No recorded handshakes in recent years |
| BCCI Stance (2025) | “Case-by-case” | “No change in relationship with that hostile country” |
Infographic: India vs Pakistan Women – Head-to-Head Stats
Diagram: India leads 4–1 in T20Is (Source: ICC Stats)
Geopolitical Context & Cricket
Cricket between India and Pakistan has long served as a barometer of diplomatic relations. While the men’s side occasionally engages in symbolic gestures, the women’s teams operate under stricter protocols due to heightened security and political sensitivities. The BCCI’s latest comment underscores that sport remains intertwined with state policy .