India and Pakistan faced off in a highly anticipated match at the ICC Women’s World Cup, but the atmosphere was tense right from the start. During the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her Pakistani counterpart Fatima Sana did not shake hands, continuing a trend established during the recent men’s Asia Cup. This decision reflects the ongoing political and sporting tensions between the two nations.

The match took place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. India entered the game with confidence after a 59-run victory over Sri Lanka, while Pakistan was looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat against Bangladesh, where they were bowled out for just 129 runs.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had advised players to refrain from the customary handshake with the Pakistani team. Mel Jones conducted the toss, and both captains maintained their distance. Former cricketer Saba Karim noted that the Indian women’s team would likely follow the same protocol as the men’s team, stating, "I don’t think they will shake hands with the Pakistani cricketers."

India holds an impressive 11-0 record over Pakistan in One Day Internationals (ODIs). For this match, India made a change to their lineup, with Renuka Singh replacing the injured Amanjot Kaur. Pakistan also made a substitution, bringing in Sadaf Shamas for Omaima Sohali.

The backdrop of this match includes heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists. In response, India had launched military operations to address cross-border terrorism. Despite the political climate, the focus for both teams remains on the game itself, as they aim to perform at their best in the World Cup.