No handshake with Pakistan? Harmanpreet responds ahead of Women's T20 World Cup clash
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur avoided the handshake debate ahead of Sunday's Women's T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, refusing to comment on whether the teams would exchange greetings before the match. Instead, she kept the focus on the cricket as the high-profile rivalry returned to the spotlight.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur refused to get drawn into the debate if her side will shake with Pakistan players ahead of their Women's T20 World Cup clash against the arch-rivals on Sunday, June 14. Indian players have maintained the no handshake policy with Pakistan players, starting with the men's Asia Cup 2025.
The trend continued in both the Rising Stars Asia Cup and the Under-19 Asia Cup, with the Under-19 World Cup fixture between the two sides unfolding in a similar fashion. Harmanpreet didn't shake hands with Pakistan counterpart Fatima Sana during the Women's World Cup last year.
The question was bound to be asked during the presser before the big clash and Harmanpreet decided to give away nothing on the eve of the game. Speaking to the media, the Indian skipper said her side is focused on the game and nothing else.
“We are here for cricket and we (in the team) don’t talk about anything else,” said Harmanpreet.
'ALWAYS PRESSURE AHEAD OF PAKISTAN GAME'
India have a 13-3 record in head-to-head when it comes to T20Is and lead 6-2 in Women's T20 World Cups. Despite this, Harmanpreet admitted that there is always pressure when it comes to Pakistan games and said that the talk in the team is to go out and enjoy on the field.
“I have experienced that pressure from the time I started watching cricket as a supporter, and now that I am playing, there is more pressure,” Harmanpreet said. “But we tell each other that it is always better to enjoy these games. And more than anything else, it is just another game.”
Harmanpreet also wanted her side to go into the tournament, aiming to start with a win and replicate the heroics from the Women's ODI World Cup last year.
“That first game always sets the tone for you, and all of us are looking forward to the match,” she said. “We want to go to the tournament with the same positive attitude ahead of the last ODI World Cup.”
India currently have a three-game winning streak in Women's T20Is against Pakistan.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur refused to get drawn into the debate if her side will shake with Pakistan players ahead of their Women's T20 World Cup clash against the arch-rivals on Sunday, June 14. Indian players have maintained the no handshake policy with Pakistan players, starting with the men's Asia Cup 2025.
The trend continued in both the Rising Stars Asia Cup and the Under-19 Asia Cup, with the Under-19 World Cup fixture between the two sides unfolding in a similar fashion. Harmanpreet didn't shake hands with Pakistan counterpart Fatima Sana during the Women's World Cup last year.
The question was bound to be asked during the presser before the big clash and Harmanpreet decided to give away nothing on the eve of the game. Speaking to the media, the Indian skipper said her side is focused on the game and nothing else.
“We are here for cricket and we (in the team) don’t talk about anything else,” said Harmanpreet.
'ALWAYS PRESSURE AHEAD OF PAKISTAN GAME'
India have a 13-3 record in head-to-head when it comes to T20Is and lead 6-2 in Women's T20 World Cups. Despite this, Harmanpreet admitted that there is always pressure when it comes to Pakistan games and said that the talk in the team is to go out and enjoy on the field.
“I have experienced that pressure from the time I started watching cricket as a supporter, and now that I am playing, there is more pressure,” Harmanpreet said. “But we tell each other that it is always better to enjoy these games. And more than anything else, it is just another game.”
Harmanpreet also wanted her side to go into the tournament, aiming to start with a win and replicate the heroics from the Women's ODI World Cup last year.
“That first game always sets the tone for you, and all of us are looking forward to the match,” she said. “We want to go to the tournament with the same positive attitude ahead of the last ODI World Cup.”
India currently have a three-game winning streak in Women's T20Is against Pakistan.
