Mumbai, Sep 30 (NationPress) With the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup kicking off in Guwahati, the Pakistan women’s cricket team anticipates that the Indian women will adopt the same 'no handshake' approach as their male counterparts during their pivotal encounter in Colombo on October 5.

In light of the significant controversies from the recently concluded Men's Asia Cup in Dubai, the Pakistani squad is preparing for a potential repeat of the 'no handshake' scenario and has reached out to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for guidance on this matter, as reported by Telecom Asia Sport on Tuesday.

The Indian men’s team refrained from shaking hands with the Pakistani players in all three Asia Cup matches and declined to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister.

“The manager of the Pakistan women's team, Hina Munawar, has consulted the PCB regarding the players’ expected conduct, anticipating that the Indian women’s team may follow the same no handshake policy,” sources revealed to www.telecomasia.net.

Hina Munawar, who is also a police officer, made history as the first female manager of the Pakistan men’s team earlier this year, overseeing the Tri-Nation Series and the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan's captain, Fatima Sana, emphasized that they will treat the match against India like any standard World Cup match, remaining focused on the game rather than external distractions.

“The World Cup is the biggest platform for us, and we understand that consistency, discipline, and teamwork will be essential for our advancement. Our aim is to compete fiercely in every match, execute our strategies effectively, and perform our best to reach the knockout stages,” she stated.

“Wearing the Pakistan jersey is a privilege, and every player in this squad recognizes the weight of that responsibility. We strive to play positive cricket, seize critical moments, and make Pakistan proud, InshaAllah. We eagerly await the tournament,” she added, as quoted by www.telecomasia.net.

The Pakistan women's team has yet to defeat India in any of the 11 One-Day Internationals they have faced, the most recent being in the 2022 World Cup at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.

Pakistan's campaign in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 will commence against Bangladesh on October 2, with captain Fatima Sana expressing optimism for a victorious start.

Pakistan secured their place in the eight-team event following a flawless record in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier held in Lahore earlier this year, where they triumphed over Bangladesh during a five-match winning streak.

All group-stage matches for Pakistan will be hosted at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Should they qualify for the semi-final on October 29 and the final on November 2, both matches will also occur in Colombo.

“A strong start to the event is crucial,” Sana remarked. “Our preparations for the World Cup have been focused and intentional. We’ve made strides in areas that required improvement, and it's encouraging to witness our progress.

“This process began during the Qualifiers, where our strong campaign led to winning all our matches and securing our position in this significant event,” Fatima Sana added.

Sana noted that practice sessions and warm-up matches have been beneficial for preparation. “The players have shown immense dedication during training sessions here in Colombo. The conditions are quite similar to those back home in Pakistan, facilitating a quicker adjustment for the squad.

“It was unfortunate that the warm-up match against Sri Lanka was canceled due to rain, as it would have provided valuable experience against the home side, who are most familiar with these conditions. Nevertheless, our game against South Africa allowed us to test various combinations and gain further clarity,” she explained.

“Personally, it was rewarding to spend time at the crease and score runs, something I had anticipated following the last series. While there’s always room for improvement, I am pleased with how the squad has responded to challenges and how we continue to evolve as a unit,” concluded the Pakistan captain.