In a rare and heartwarming moment, the blind women’s cricket teams of India and Pakistan put aside political tensions on Sunday and exchanged handshakes after their match at the Women’s Blind T20 World Cup 2025 in Sri Lanka.
Both teams, competing in what organisers call the world’s first T20 tournament for blind women, displayed true sportsmanship despite the strained relations between their countries.
The gesture was particularly notable given recent tensions, as the regular men’s and women’s national teams of India and Pakistan had avoided handshakes in international events.
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During the Asia Cup 2025, both sides did not shake hands in all three encounters.
The controversy also arose in the Women’s World Cup when Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana skipped the handshake, and in the Rising Stars Asia Cup, the two teams again refrained from greeting each other.
READ: Asia Cup Rising Stars PAK vs IND: Jitesh Sharma avoids handshake with Irfan Niazi
The match, played at the Free Trade Zone Ground in Katunayake, saw India secure an eight-wicket win, chasing down Pakistan’s total inside 10.2 overs.
Pakistan had earlier posted 135 for eight, with Mehrin Ali scoring 66 and Bushra Ashraf adding 44.
Six Pakistani batters were run out during the innings.
For India, Anika Devi led the chase with a brilliant 64 off 34 balls, supported by Deepika’s solid 45.
READ: India skip handshakes with Pakistan after Asia Cup match
Noor Fatima claimed a wicket for Pakistan.
Despite India’s convincing victory, the atmosphere after the match remained positive, as players not only shook hands but also praised each other’s efforts.
Pakistan captain Nimra Rafique congratulated India for their strong performance, while Indian skipper T.C. Deepika appreciated Pakistan’s fight.
Both teams travelled to the venue on the same bus and shared words of encouragement after the game.
However, players were not allowed to speak to the media following the match.
The tournament, split between India and Sri Lanka, is being hailed as a major step in creating opportunities for visually impaired women in sports.
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Indian team manager Shika Shetty said the event could inspire many girls with disabilities to pursue education and sports, calling it “one of the biggest opportunities” for blind women athletes.
Pakistan coach Tahir Mehmood Butt also highlighted the importance of the sport, saying blind cricket offers a pathway for young players with strong hearing abilities to excel.
Blind cricket is played with a white plastic ball filled with ball bearings, helping players detect its movement through sound.
Teams must include a mix of totally blind, partially sighted, and low-vision players, with underarm bowling used instead of the traditional style.
Along with India and Pakistan, teams from Australia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the United States are also competing in the tournament.
The final will be held next Sunday, November 23, in Colombo.
