'Don't think India would really bother about Pakistan...': Ex-India selector picks toughest clashes for Harmanpreet-led side in Women's ODI World Cup 2025

Former India cricketer Saba Karim reckons that the Harmanpreet-led side will not bother about their second Women's World Cup 2025 clash against Pakistan, which will take place on October 5 in Colombo. He picked Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand as the toughest clashes for Team India in the mega event taking place in India and Sri Lanka.

Saba Karim picks India's toughest rivals in Women's World Cup

Team India has already won their tournament opener against Sri Lanka, defeating them by 59 runs and on the other hand, Pakistan lost their tournament opener against Bangladesh by seven wickets.

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“No, not at all. I think the toughest clash for India would be against the top teams, mainly Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand. Pakistan has come through the qualifiers and whatever I could make out of the side, especially when they're up against a team like India, I don't think India would really bother about Pakistan at this stage.”

“I know that they will take one match at a time in this World Cup. But having said that, I do believe that the tougher challenges await later when India is pitted against Australia and New Zealand and the other teams that I talked about, not against Pakistan,” Karim, a JioStar expert, told IANS in a select virtual interaction by the broadcasters on Friday.

Will Harmanpreet Kaur-led India shake hands with Pakistan counterpart?

The India vs Pakistan clash will take place at R Premdasa Stadium, and this will be the fourth straight fixture between neighbouring nations after three meetings in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.

Just like how Suryakumar Yadav & Co didn’t shake hands, a similar stance is expected to be carried out by Harmanpreet and her team, especially with the ICC playing regulations not having any mention of a post-game handshake being mandatory.