Focus solely on cricket as India, Pakistan face off amid lingering tensions

For the Indian women's cricket team, the idea of Pakistan as a rival is more inherited than a result of direct animosity. The hype accompanying their fixtures have always been shaped by the legacy of the men's game, spilled over directly onto the women's game, often to the extent of even overshadowing the individuality of their contest. And even though that rivalry has cooled off in men's cricket, the recent string of tense clashes in Dubai ensures that the baggage remains. That tension was likely to bleed into their Women's World Cup 2025 fixture in Colombo, adding pressure and noise to a contest that, historically, has lacked an on-field edge.

Despite the external noise both teams are aware that, come Sunday, it is the game itself that must take precedence. Both are determined to keep their focus squarely on the contest ahead. For Pakistan, this means staying united to avoid distractions.

"Definitely, firstly if you see, we are like a family - we 20-22 people are like one family - so we are not at all focused on what's going on outside," Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said. "Obviously, we know what's happening around us, but we try to stay focused only on the game, because the World Cup is an event every player waits for. We will try to keep our focus on the tournament and on what we have come here for."

India, too, is prioritizing their mental space and preparation above all in their bid to succeed in a competition they're counted one among the favourites.

"When you enter into a big tournament like a World Cup, the area of focus is only cricket," said Avishkar Salvi, India's bowling coach. "It's good to have the players in a good space. As you saw in the first game, after that first win, obviously, the team is on a momentum, on a roll, and they have been preparing well. I mean, wherever we are getting an opportunity to practice, they're practicing. Whenever there are opportunities to discuss the game plans, they're discussing that. So, everybody is in a good space where they are working in an ecosystem where they are trying to get their A game onto the day, whatever [opposition] it is."

In effect, for a fourth successive Sunday, the India-Pakistan match will unfold without the pre and post-match handshakes. The decision comes amid lingering tensions between the two cricketing boards, following a series of controversies and escalations during the men's Asia Cup 2025. Barely three days later, a social media backlash ensued after Sana Mir, former Pakistan captain turned commentator, mentioned "Azad Kashmir" - an area of dispute between the two countries - as Natalia Pervaiz's hometown during the team's match against Bangladesh in Colombo.

Cricbuzz has reliably learnt that the ICC is going to have a sit-down with the team managers of both India and Pakistan on match-eve to appraise them of the match-day protocols, in their bid to avoid any further unsavoury incidents on-field.

This comes in the wake of India's firm stance. Speaking on the sidelines of India's World Cup opener against Sri Lanka in Guwahati, BCCI honorary secretary Devajit Saikia told the BBC Stumped podcast that there had been no shift in India's approach. "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," he said.

Cricbuzz understands Pakistan, too, have been advised "not to go after the Indians".

It has to be noted that while handshakes are a long-standing custom in cricket, they are not mandated by law, and choosing to forego them carries no official consequences.

The emotional significance of an India-Pakistan clash is unlikely to fade anytime soon, but both teams appear committed to approaching the contest with professionalism and clarity of purpose. For once in the last four weeks, the focus may actually be on the sport than theatrics - weather permitting.