The intense rivalry between India and Pakistan spilled into the women's cricket arena on Sunday when captains Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana avoided the traditional pre-match handshake before their World Cup clash in Colombo. The gesture, or lack thereof, underscored the escalating tension between the two cricketing giants, whose political and military conflicts have cast a shadow over sporting ties for decades.

Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors deteriorated sharply following military clashes in May, raising fears of a larger conflict. These tensions have increasingly seeped into sports, with the men's teams also refusing to shake hands during the Asia Cup, where India defeated Pakistan three times, including in the September 28 final in Dubai. India even declined to receive the winners' trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's interior minister.

The icy atmosphere continued in Colombo as Kaur and Sana barely acknowledged each other's presence during the toss. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit early pitch conditions. "We're going to bowl first; there could be some moisture on the wicket," Sana said, adding that restricting India to under 250 runs would be a competitive target.

India, who have never lost to Pakistan in a women's one-day international, entered the match with confidence. Captain Kaur highlighted her team's preparations, pointing to their successful tri-series in Sri Lanka earlier this year. "We played a lot of cricket here and gained experience. Now it's about staying positive and playing good cricket," she stated.

Despite being the host nation, India will not face Pakistan on home soil. Bilateral cricket remains suspended, and the two teams meet only in ICC or multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues. Under a special agreement, Pakistan will play all their World Cup matches in Colombo, reflecting the deep political divisions that continue to influence their sporting encounters.

The absence of a handshake may seem symbolic, but it speaks volumes about the strained ties and heightened rivalry that extend far beyond the cricket field. In a contest where every run and wicket matters, diplomacy, too, remains fiercely contested.

Source:

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