India’s women’s cricket team beats Pakistan by 64 runs in the opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, in a contest that also features a continued no-handshake gesture between the two captains. In the Group A match at Edgbaston, India wins the toss and bats first, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana both avoiding handshakes at the toss. After the match, India’s players celebrate in a huddle and interact with their own coaching staff and match officials, while India and Pakistan do not exchange post-match pleasantries.
The handshake avoidance is described as an established pattern in India–Pakistan fixtures. Sources link the approach to earlier diplomatic and security-related tensions, and note it has appeared in successive ICC events, including the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup clash and later men’s and youth matches.
Pakistan’s coach comments that he does not know the reasons for the handshake snub, adding that it would not significantly affect relations. Separate coverage also shows Fatima Sana’s aggressive celebration after dismissing Harmanpreet during India’s innings, alongside the heightened focus on the toss interaction.
