The strained India-Pakistan relationship once again made its way onto the cricket field, this time during the Women&rsquo;s World Cup 2025 clash at Colombo&rsquo;s R Premadasa Stadium. 
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur reportedly refused to acknowledge her Pakistani counterpart, Fatima Sana, during the toss on Tuesday.
The moment drew parallels to the controversy from the recently concluded Men&rsquo;s Asia Cup, where the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, avoided shaking hands with the Pakistani players and declined to accept the trophy from ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. 
The ongoing diplomatic friction between the two nations, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, has added to the tension.
At the toss, both captains appeared distant, walked separately, and avoided any interaction.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Captains&rsquo; remarks:
Harmanpreet Kaur said, &ldquo;We played a good series here before the World Cup. Unfortunately, Amanjot Kaur isn&rsquo;t fully fit, so Renuka Singh Thakur comes in. Our team is in good form, and we&rsquo;re confident about today&rsquo;s game.&rdquo;
Fatima Sana stated, &ldquo;We&rsquo;re bowling first; the wicket might have some early moisture. We&rsquo;ve made one change to our lineup and are feeling confident. Anything under 250 should be chaseable.&rdquo;
India entered the match following a win over Sri Lanka, while Pakistan sought redemption after losing their opener against Bangladesh. 
Despite the political undertones, the high-stakes encounter remains one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, with Pakistan still seeking their first-ever ODI win over India in women&rsquo;s cricket.

Harmanpreet Kaur avoids handshake with Fatima Sana

Harmanpreet Kaur avoids Fatima Sana at toss, reigniting India-Pakistan cricket tensions

No Handshake As India Faces Pakistan Again

Harmanpreet Kaur avoids Fatima Sana at toss, reigniting India-Pakistan cricket tensions

October 5, 2025 | 16:57 IST