INDA-W vs PAKA-W [Source: @avinasharyan09/x.com]India vs Pakistan rarely needs extra spice, but in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 clash between India A and Pakistan A in Bangkok on Sunday, the tension was visible even before the first ball was bowled. Both teams once again chose not to shake hands, continuing a trend that has quietly become the new normal whenever the two sides meet on the cricket field. There were no smiles, no handshakes and no friendly taps on the back at the start, just straight faces and full focus on business. While the match eventually turned into a one-sided show in India A Women’s favour, the absence of the traditional handshake once again grabbed eyeballs and became a talking point across cricket circles. No handshake pattern continues in India vs Pakistan matches This wasn’t a one-off moment but part of a growing pattern seen in recent India vs Pakistan contests across levels and formats, with the same approach followed earlier this year during the men’s U-19 Asia Cup final and even in multiple clashes during the men’s Asia Cup where Indian players skipped pre and post-match handshakes. The Indian women’s senior team had also taken a similar route during the Women’s World Cup 2025, and now the India A Women followed suit in the Rising Stars tournament in Thailand, making it clear that this approach is likely to stay for the foreseeable future whenever the two sides lock horns, including the upcoming IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 match. The backdrop to all this has been heightened political tension between the two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent developments, and while cricket continues on the field, the atmosphere around these fixtures has been anything but routine. India A bounce back in style Once the formalities were done and the game began, India A Women switched into full match mode and produced a performance that spoke louder than any pre-match gesture. The Women in Blue bounced back strongly after their opening defeat to UAE Women and handing Pakistan A Women a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat. Pakistan A chose to bat first but ran into a disciplined Indian bowling unit that came out breathing fire. Saima Thakor struck early to push Pakistan on the back foot, and then captain Radha Yadav spun a tight web through the middle overs, picking up two key wickets and choking the run flow. Prema Rawat joined the party with two scalps and both Minnu Mani and Jintimani Kalita chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. Pakistan A Women kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually folded for just 93 in 18.5 overs. Vrinda turns chase into a statement Chasing 94, India A Women had a minor wobble when Humaira Kazi fell off the very first ball, but that was just a blip in an otherwise dominant chase as Dinesh Vrinda walked in and took charge like a batter on a mission. She finished unbeaten on a blazing 55 off just 29 balls with 12 fours that turned the chase into a walk in the park. Anushka Sharma played the perfect supporting role with a calm 24 and stitched together a match-winning partnership with Vrinda before Tejal Hasabnis added the finishing touches with a quick unbeaten 12 as India A Women raced to 97/2 in just 10.1 overs.
