🤝 BCCI’s Saikia Says ‘No Handshake Guarantee’ Before India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 Clash
🌍 Cricket in the Shadow of Politics
The India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 clash on October 5 in Colombo has already set the cricket world buzzing. But instead of being remembered as a celebration of women’s cricket, the match risks becoming another political flashpoint.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has openly stated that there is “no handshake guarantee” between Indian and Pakistani women cricketers. This echoes the Asia Cup 2025 men’s tournament, where India sparked controversy by refusing post-match handshakes and avoiding receiving the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi.
The statement has amplified concerns that politics may once again overshadow cricket, leaving fans wondering whether the match will be remembered for runs and wickets—or for controversy and unsportsmanlike conduct.
📰 Background – Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Controversy
To understand the context of Saikia’s remarks, one must revisit the events of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025.
Key Incidents That Sparked the Storm:
- ❌ No Handshakes: Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistan players in all three encounters.
- 🏆 Trophy Snub: India declined to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi.
- ⏳ Ceremony Delays: The post-match presentation was delayed by more than an hour due to India’s stance.
- 🗣️ Political Statements: BCCI officials admitted that the refusal was political, not cricket-related.
These incidents drew widespread criticism from players, analysts, and fans, with many accusing India of damaging the spirit of cricket.
Now, with the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 underway, all eyes are on whether the Indian women’s team will repeat the same actions.
👩🏏 India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 – A High-Stakes Clash
On paper, the IND vs PAK Women’s World Cup 2025 match is a crucial group-stage encounter. Both teams are eager to secure points in a competitive tournament.
But journalist Boria Majumdar’s comments have reframed the game as something more than just cricket:
“The India-Pakistan game in Colombo will not be just another cricket match. It will be a continuation of the Asia Cup, and the only thing that changes is the gender.”
This suggests that the Asia Cup drama may spill directly into the women’s tournament, creating off-field tension and global headlines.
📰 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
The India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 clash in Colombo is no longer just about cricket—it’s about how politics continues to overshadow the sport. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia’s “no handshake guarantee” has set the stage for yet another off-field controversy, echoing the Asia Cup 2025 drama where India refused handshakes and trophy acceptance.
From a cricketing perspective, both India and Pakistan women’s teams are under pressure: India to justify their dominance without letting politics distract them, and Pakistan to rise above the noise and prove resilience.
Social media trends suggest that #HandshakeSnub, #INDvsPAKWomen, and #SpiritOfCricket will dominate the narrative, with fan sentiment likely split between nationalism and the call for keeping politics out of cricket. The ICC’s handling of this issue will determine whether women’s cricket gains global respect or falls into the same political pitfall seen in the men’s game.
For Desert Vipers-like IPL and ILT20-style leagues, this controversy is also a reminder that women’s franchise cricket must carefully separate politics from branding to maintain fan trust.
⚔️ The Symbolism of the Handshake in Cricket
The handshake tradition in cricket is not just formality—it represents the core values of sportsmanship, unity, and respect.
- ✅ Handshake = Respect: Acknowledging opponents regardless of results.
- 🌐 Global Tradition: From school cricket to World Cups, handshakes represent fairness.
- ❌ Refusal = Hostility: Seen as mixing politics with sport and undermining cricket’s neutrality.
If India’s women’s team refuses to shake hands, it could tarnish the ICC’s efforts to promote women’s cricket globally at a time when visibility and equality are at their peak.
🔥 Devajit Saikia’s Statement – The Trigger
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia’s words have left the cricket community divided:
“India will play the match against Pakistan in Colombo, and all cricket protocols will be followed. Whether there will be handshakes or hugs, I cannot assure you of anything at this moment.”
This vague assurance—linking sporting conduct to diplomatic ties—suggests that politics may dictate on-field behavior once again.
By refusing to guarantee a handshake, Saikia has essentially kept the door open for another controversial spectacle.
🌐 Political Undertones – Cricket in Diplomatic Crossfire
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has always been shaped by politics. But in 2025, the intensity has escalated:
- 🇮🇳 BCCI Stance: No handshakes, no trophy acceptance from Pakistani officials.
- 🇵🇰 PCB Response: Chairman Mohsin Naqvi called India’s actions “cheap propaganda.”
- 📲 Social Media Wars: Hashtags like #SpiritOfCricket, #HandshakeSnub, #INDvsPAKWomen trending.
- 🏟️ ICC Under Pressure: Growing demands to prevent political interference in cricket.
This ongoing politicization risks making cricket an extension of diplomacy rather than a sport loved by millions.
📊 Key Takeaways
- India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 live
- Women’s cricket handshake snub news
- BCCI Devajit Saikia statement
- Mohsin Naqvi Asia Cup controversy
- IND vs PAK Colombo 2025 match preview
- Spirit of cricket debate India Pakistan
- Women’s World Cup 2025 handshake drama
- PCB vs BCCI political cricket rivalry
🏏 Pakistan Women’s Team – Focus Amid Distractions
Pakistan’s women cricketers, preparing under the leadership of Bismah Maroof, are already facing immense pressure.
- 💪 They must balance on-field performance with off-field provocations.
- 🎯 PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has advised them to “play freely” and let the board handle politics.
- 🏆 A strong showing against India could boost Pakistan’s campaign while also earning global respect for rising above hostility.
🇮🇳 India Women’s Team – Cricket or Politics First?
India’s women’s team is one of the strongest contenders for the World Cup 2025 title. However, the BCCI’s political hardline is overshadowing their preparations.
Key Questions:
- ❓ Will they repeat the men’s team’s handshake snub?
- ❓ Can players prioritize cricket over politics under board pressure?
- ❓ How will fans and ICC respond if the snub happens again?
The answers could define not only India’s campaign narrative but also the broader image of women’s cricket in 2025.
🌐 ICC’s Role – Neutrality at Risk
The International Cricket Council (ICC) prides itself on being politically neutral. But its silence during the Asia Cup fiasco drew heavy criticism.
Possible ICC actions ahead of the Women’s World Cup clash:
- 📝 Reinforce mandatory handshake protocol.
- ⚖️ Warn boards against politicizing matches.
- 🚨 Penalize unsportsmanlike conduct.
- 🌍 Campaign for “Cricket Beyond Borders.”
If ICC remains passive, it risks losing credibility as the guardian of cricket’s spirit.
📺 Fan Reactions – Social Media in Overdrive
Global cricket fans are already flooding social platforms with divided opinions:
- 🇵🇰 Pakistani fans: Calling India’s conduct unsportsmanlike.
- 🇮🇳 Indian fans: Split between supporting BCCI’s stance and urging to “keep politics out.”
- 🌍 Neutral fans: Concerned that cricket’s integrity is at stake.
Trending Hashtags:
#INDvsPAKWomen #WWC2025 #CricketNotPolitics #HandshakeSnub #SpiritOfCricket
📌 Historical Context – India-Pakistan Politics in Cricket
The handshake controversy is only the latest chapter in a long history of politicized cricket:
- 🏆 1999 World Cup – Tensions high due to the Kargil conflict.
- 🏏 2008 Mumbai Attacks – Bilateral cricket ties frozen.
- 🎤 2021 T20 World Cup – Virat Kohli faced backlash after praising Pakistan’s win.
- 🏆 2025 Asia Cup – Trophy refusal by India sparked global outrage.
Now, the 2025 Women’s World Cup clash risks being remembered as yet another politically tainted contest.
🔮 Matchday Predictions – October 5, 2025
As Colombo braces for the clash, here’s what fans and analysts expect:
- 🤝 Handshake Watch: Pre- and post-match gestures will be under a microscope.
- 🏏 High-Pressure Cricket: Players must perform amid global scrutiny.
- 📡 Media Frenzy: Every gesture will be amplified by Indian, Pakistani, and global outlets.
- 🌍 Global Reactions: Neutral boards, ex-players, and ICC may step in with statements.
This encounter will be remembered for far more than runs and wickets—it could define the future narrative of cricket diplomacy.
🏆 Conclusion – More Than Just a Game
The India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 clash is shaping up to be more than just a cricket match. It is a test of cricket’s soul.
- Will India’s women cricketers repeat the handshake snub?
- Will Pakistan’s players rise above politics and focus on performance?
- Will ICC enforce neutrality, or allow politics to dominate cricket’s biggest stage?
On October 5, 2025, the world won’t just be watching cricket—it will be watching the spirit of the game itself.