The historic cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan added one other intense chapter each on and off the sphere throughout the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Dealing with off within the sixth match of Group 1 at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 14, 2026, the high-stakes opener drew a large crowd of 18,814 spectators. Whereas the motion on the pitch lived as much as the billing, it was a frosty pre-match second between the captains that set social media ablaze and saved a controversial fashionable cricket custom alive.
One more India-Pakistan assembly sees Harmanpreet Kaur keep away from customary handshake with Fatima Sana
The pre-game rigidity peaked throughout the coin toss when India captain Harmanpreet Kaur gained the flip and opted to bat first. Instantly after making her determination, Harmanpreet visibly blanked Pakistan’s younger captain, Fatima Sana, bypassing the standard post-toss handshake to stroll straight to broadcaster Mel Jones for her interview. As soon as the interview concluded, the Indian skipper shortly exited the presentation space.
This icy trade was not an remoted incident however a continuation of a strict, unwritten ‘no handshake’ coverage adopted by Indian cricket groups throughout cross-border clashes. The frosty protocol first gained widespread public consideration throughout the males’s Asia Cup in 2025. Since then, the apply has trickled down by way of varied ranges of the game, manifesting within the Rising Stars Asia Cup, the Underneath-19 Asia Cup, and the Underneath-19 World Cup.
Notably, a similar chilly shoulder occurred on the earlier yr’s Ladies’s World Cup when Harmanpreet equally averted a post-match handshake with Sana. When questioned concerning the recurring snub on the eve of the Birmingham conflict, Harmanpreet firmly deflected the media’s focus. She said that the squad was fully locked into their tactical recreation plan somewhat than letting exterior chatter dictate their focus.
Right here’s the video:
GIGACHAD HARMANPREET KAUR 😎🔥
Harmanpreet Kaur skipped the handshake with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana and targeted on the job. . 💪🇮🇳🏏#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/nOYUyN0dmj
— Faruk (@uf2151593) June 14, 2026
Additionally READ: Fans go wild as Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma sizzle in India’s dominting win over Pakistan at Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
India register emphatic win over Pakistan in Ladies’s T20 World Cup 2026 encounter
As soon as the political rigidity subsided, India’s batting unit placed on an absolute masterclass to submit a commanding 170/6 of their allotted 20 overs. Regardless of an early blow when Shafali Verma fell for simply 6 within the opening over, Smriti Mandhana anchor-accelerated the innings with an excellent efficiency. Mandhana smashed 68 runs off 44 balls, that includes 9 fours and two sixes, placing at a powerful 154.54.
Captain Kaur chipped in with a gradual 36 off 35 balls, whereas a late-innings explosion from wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, who blasted 34 off simply 17 deliveries at a 200.00 strike price, pushed India to an imposing complete. For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal (2/41) and Fatima Sana (2/33) had been the decide of the bowlers however suffered below India’s late-overs onslaught.
Chaining Pakistan below extreme scoreboard strain, India’s bowling assault turned the second innings right into a procession. Pakistan’s chase collapsed quickly after an honest begin from opener Muneeba Ali (41 off 35). Spin wizard Deepti Sharma delivered a legendary, Participant of the Match spell, fully dismantling the center and decrease order to complete with astonishing figures of 5 wickets for simply 10 runs in her 4 overs.
Supported by Shree Charani‘s sharp 3/21, India bowled Pakistan out for 106 in precisely 17 overs. Captain Fatima Sana was dismissed for a duck by Verma as Pakistan misplaced their remaining 5 wickets for a mere 15 runs, handing India a complete 64-run victory to kickstart their World Cup marketing campaign in fashion.
Additionally READ: Shemaine Campbelle fiery knock powers West Indies to a thrilling win against New Zealand in Women’s T20 World Cup game
This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
