The no-handshake saga continued between the Indian women’s and Pakistan women’s teams in the ongoing Asia Cup 2026 campaign at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, September 5.
The Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana were present at the toss on Saturday but they didn’t shake their hands. The trend began on September 14 last year, at the same venue and in the men’s edition of the Asia Cup in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in April 2025.
In the match, Pakistan won the coin toss and asked India to bowl first. “We want to put a maximum total first. We know we have a good bowling side, we want to restrict them,” Fatima Sana said.
“Our bowling has been great in this tournament, good opportunity to bowl first,” Harmanpreet Kaur said.
India Women stunned Pakistan Women with a seven-wicket win in the clash. Delving into the details of the game, Pakistan batted first and got bundled out for 55 runs in 18.1 overs. Shree Charani and Prema Rawat scalped three wickets apiece.
In the chase, India Women crossed the winning line in 8.4 overs with seven wickets in hand. Fatima Sana scalped a three-wicket haul, but in vain. Shree Charani was awarded the player of the match in the game.
This seven-wicket defeat has left Pakistan’s semi-final hopes hanging by a thread. They must now beat Hong Kong in their final group fixture to stay in the campaign.
