The India vs Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup were a full showdown. The "drama" began when the Indian men's team, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, refused to shake hands with the Pakistan men's team for the entire tournament. The situation escalated in the final when India won the final and not only beat Pakistan to win their ninth Asia Cup, but also refused to accept the trophy from the chief of the Asian Cricket Council, Mohsin Naqvi, who was also a minister of Pakistan.

The situation has raised eyebrows around the Indian women's team with their high-profile Women's ODI World Cup against Pakistan. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur is now expected to experience the same scrutiny that Suryakumar experienced, with no questions if the team will act like the men's team.

When asked directly about the matter, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia refrained from a categorical answer. Speaking to BBC Stumped, he said,
“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.”

An additional senior BCCI official has told PTI that the women’s team will be expected to follow the same course of action as the men’s team, no handshakes at the toss, no joint pictures with the match referee, and no post-match sporting gestures.

With no apparent lessening of political tensions between the two countries, the unexpected rivalry in women’s cricket between India and Pakistan will extend far outside the boundary ropes in Colombo.