Pakistan eye historic win over India in high-stakes Women’s World Cup clash

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025's much-anticipated fixture between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place on Sunday (tomorrow) at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The much-awaited encounter will not only add another chapter to the storied Indo-Pak rivalry but also offer Pakistan a chance to rewrite history, as they have never beaten Indian women in an ODI.

The pre-match discussions have been dominated by questions surrounding whether the two sides will shake hands — a symbolic gesture that has recently become a point of contention.

The match, set to be played in Sri Lanka instead of Indian soil, has drawn heightened attention following the remarks of Indian sports journalist Boria Majumdar, who claimed on social media platform ‘X’ that there would be no handshake between the two teams before or after the game.

His statement has reignited the debate about the tense cricketing relations between the two neighbouring nations, which have long been influenced by broader political and diplomatic strains.

This upcoming fixture will mark the sixth match of the ongoing Women’s World Cup.

Both teams are preparing intensely for the encounter, which is scheduled to begin at 3 pm local time.

The game’s venue in Sri Lanka was chosen as a neutral ground amid ongoing restrictions on bilateral sporting ties between India and Pakistan.

The discussion around the handshake stems from the recent Asia Cup 2025, where the two sides met three times.

During that tournament, Indian players were seen avoiding physical contact with Pakistani players, refraining from handshakes both before and after the matches.

India went on to win the Asia Cup for a record ninth time, defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the final played on September 28.

Given the tense backdrop of the Asia Cup and the aftermath of Operation Sandur-related developments, the forthcoming World Cup encounter is being viewed as more than just a cricket match.

Fans and analysts alike are curious to see whether sportsmanship will transcend political undertones this time or if the symbolic handshake will again be skipped, reflecting the strained relations between the two teams.

Women's Cricket World Cup 2025: India vs Pakistan squads

India cricket team: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud Reserves: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare

Pakistan cricket team: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah. Reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar