Culture & Entertainment · India Bureau
Harmanpreet Skips Handshake With Pakistan Captain At Asia Cup Toss
India's women's cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur avoided shaking hands with Pakistan counterpart Fatima Sana at the coin toss during their Women's Asia Cup 2026 encounter in Dubai on Saturday. Sana won the toss and elected to bat first.
LSN India ·
Tension marked the pre-match formalities as India's women's cricket team faced Pakistan in their Women's Asia Cup 2026 fixture at a Dubai venue on Saturday. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and decided to bat first in the Group stage encounter.
The moment drew attention when Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur chose not to shake hands with her Pakistani counterpart during the traditional toss ceremony. Such gestures at the coin toss are customary in international cricket, and the apparent deviation underscored prevailing tensions between the two neighbouring nations.
The match represented a significant fixture in the regional tournament, with both teams vying for strong positions in the competition. Pakistan's decision to bat first reflected their strategy for the conditions expected at the Dubai ground.
India's women's cricket team has been a dominant force in recent years, while Pakistan continues to strengthen its competitive standing in the sport. The encounter carried added significance given the historical rivalry between the two nations in cricket.