India and Pakistan face questions on handshake policy at Women's Asia Cup

India and Pakistan are scheduled to play in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 on September 5 in Dubai. Ahead of the fixture, questions persist regarding whether the teams will participate in pre-match handshakes. The Board of Control for Cricket in India implemented a no-handshake protocol following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Indian teams across various age groups and formats have strictly adhered to this policy during matches against Pakistan since that event. Head coach Amol Muzumdar declined to address the potential for a change in protocol during a press conference on the eve of the tournament opener. The Indian women's team most recently followed the no-handshake practice during the T20 World Cup in June 2026.

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