BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has revealed that Team India will be following all the regular protocols during their clash against Pakistan in the Women's World Cup, but added that there is no guarantee as to if there will be any handshakes or hugs between the players. This comes ah ead of the two teams' clash in the mega-tournament that is set to take place on October 5 at the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo.
The handshake controversy between the two teams began in the recently-concluded Asia Cup where India didn't shake hands with the Pakistan team in any of the three matches. It is expected that the same will happen when the two teams will meet in the Women's World Cup.
“I cannot forecast anything, but our relationship with that particular hostile country is the same, there is no change in the last week. India will play that match against Pakistan in Colombo, and all cricket protocols will be followed. I can only assure that whatever is in the MCC regulations of cricket, that will be done. Whether there will be handshakes, whether there will be hugging, I cannot assure you of anything at this moment," Saikia told BCCI Stumped.
On the other hand, a BCCI source had recentl told PTI that there will be no customary handshakes during the toss or after the match in the upcoming game between the two teams.
“The BCCI is aligned with the government and there will be no customary handshake at the toss, no photo-shoot with the match referee, and no end-of-game handshakes. The policy followed by the men will also be implemented by the women," the source was quoted as saying.
Who did India beat in their Women's WC opener
Meanwhile, India had began their Women's World Cup campaign with a crushing 59-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tournament. It was a brilliant display by the Women in Blue especially in the bowling department as they defended the target of 270 by bundled out the opposition for 211 runs. On the other hand, Pakistan will be hoping to record a win in their first match of the tournament that will be against Bangladesh.