Women's Asia Cup: Muzumdar defers Pakistan handshake question, eyes Thailand opener
Synopsis
India coach Amol Muzumdar refused to engage with the Pakistan handshake question at the Women's Asia Cup — deferring it entirely to match week. The no-handshake policy, now spanning senior, women's, and age-group cricket since the Pahalgam attack, has become one of Indian cricket's most consistent diplomatic signals. With seven Asia Cup titles already, India's real focus is an eighth — starting Sunday against Thailand.
Key Takeaways
Amol Muzumdar deflected questions on the India-Pakistan handshake protocol at the Women's Asia Cup pre-match press conference on 29 August .
India face Pakistan on 5 September at the Dubai International Stadium ; their opener is against Thailand on Sunday.
The no-handshake policy began at the Men's Asia Cup in September 2025 , following the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025 .
The protocol has been upheld across senior, women's, and age-group tournaments including the Women's ODI World Cup, Under-19 Asia Cup, and Women's T20 World Cup in Birmingham.
India are the most successful team in Women's Asia Cup history with seven titles .
India head coach Amol Muzumdar on Saturday, 29 August deflected questions about the handshake protocol ahead of India's scheduled Women's Asia Cup clash against Pakistan on 5 September, saying the team's full attention is fixed on their tournament opener against Thailand in Dubai on Sunday.
What Muzumdar Said
'Look, we try to play the best cricket on the ground and off the field stuff, we don't focus on it. We try to play the best cricket that we know on that particular day and we will speak about this when we play that game. But at the moment, we are focusing on tomorrow's game. One game at a time,' Muzumdar said at the pre-match press conference.
The No-Handshake Policy: How It Began
The protocol traces back to September 2025 during the Men's Asia Cup, following the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025. The Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side avoided handshakes with Salman Ali Agha's Pakistan team across all three encounters in that tournament, including the title clash. Since then, the stance has been consistently maintained across senior, age-group, and women's cricket at every level.
A Policy Upheld Across Formats and Age Groups
The Indian women's team observed the protocol during their Women's ODI World Cup fixture against Pakistan in Colombo in October 2025. Indian players also held the line at the Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup in November 2025, both India-Pakistan matches at the Under-19 Asia Cup in December 2025, and encounters at the Under-19 World Cup and the Men's T20 World Cup in February 2026. Most recently, in June 2026, Harmanpreet Kaur's side maintained the same stance during the Women's T20 World Cup clash in Birmingham.
Harmanpreet Also Stays Guarded
At the pre-tournament press conference in Dubai, captain Harmanpreet Kaur similarly declined to give a clear answer when asked whether handshakes would take place at the Dubai International Stadium when India face Pakistan. The question, as with Muzumdar's response, was effectively deferred.
India's Asia Cup Record and Title Ambitions
India enter the Women's Asia Cup as the most decorated side in the competition's history, having claimed the trophy seven times. When asked whether the team is targeting an eighth title in the UAE, Muzumdar was characteristically measured. 'I don't want to go too far ahead. One game at a time. We will focus on tomorrow's game,' he said. India's campaign begins against Thailand at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, with the Pakistan fixture looming a week later on 5 September.
Point of View
Across so many formats and age groups, that it has effectively become institutional. What is notable is that neither the coach nor the captain has explicitly confirmed or denied continuation, leaving ambiguity intact as a diplomatic buffer. Whether that ambiguity survives the pressure of a high-stakes Asia Cup final — should India and Pakistan meet — is the real question no one in the Indian camp is ready to answer yet.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Amol Muzumdar say about the India-Pakistan handshake at the Women's Asia Cup?
Muzumdar declined to address the handshake question directly, saying the team would 'speak about this when we play that game' and that the current focus is entirely on the Thailand opener on Sunday. He did not confirm or deny whether the no-handshake policy would continue.
Why do Indian cricket teams not shake hands with Pakistan?
The no-handshake policy began at the Men's Asia Cup in September 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025. Since then, Indian teams across all formats — senior, women's, and age-group — have consistently avoided handshakes with Pakistani players.
When do India play Pakistan at the Women's Asia Cup 2026?
India are scheduled to face Pakistan on 5 September at the Dubai International Stadium. Their tournament opener is against Thailand on Sunday, 30 August.
How many times has India won the Women's Asia Cup?
India have won the Women's Asia Cup seven times, making them the most successful team in the competition's history. They are competing in the UAE edition with an eye on a record eighth title.
Has Harmanpreet Kaur commented on the handshake issue?
At the pre-tournament press conference in Dubai, captain Harmanpreet Kaur similarly declined to give a clear answer when asked whether handshakes would occur during the India-Pakistan clash at the Dubai International Stadium.
