India vs Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup 2026: Will There Be a Handshake? Harmanpreet Kaur Responds
The India vs Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup 2026 clash is already attracting huge attention ahead of the September 5 meeting in Dubai. But this time, the cricketing rivalry has another major talking point: will Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana shake hands?
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was asked about the handshake issue ahead of the tournament, but she did not give a direct yes or no answer. Instead Kaur insisted that India’s focus is on playing good cricket rather than outside matters surrounding the match.
Harmanpreet Kaur Responds to Handshake Question
The question comes after previous India-Pakistan encounters in which the customarry handshake between the captains did not take place.
Asked about the possibility of shaking hands with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana in the Women’s Asia Cup, Harmanpreet Kaur avoided making a specific commitment. She stressed that India are preparing to face every opponent seriously and that the team’s main objective is to play good cricket.
This means the handshake question remains unanswered ahead of the September 5 blockbuster.
India vs Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Date
India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet on September 5, 2026, in Dubai. The Women’s Asia Cup began on August 28 and will run until September 13, with eight teams competing in the tournament.
India are among the favourites after winning the Women’s Asia Cup seven times, while Pakistan will be looking to produce a major upset against their rivals.
Why the Handshake Issue Is Getting Attention
The handshake debate has become a recurring talking point around recent India-Pakistan cricket matches. The two teams previously avoided the customary handshake during their 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup meeting, making the upcoming Asia Cup encounter another major moment to watch.
However, the situation for the September 5 match is not officially confirmed yet. Harmanpreet Kaur’s latest comments indicate that India are keeping their attention on cricket rather than publicly discussing what will happen before the match.
India vs Pakistan Could Become the Biggest Match of the Group Stage
The India-Pakistan fixture is one of the most anticipated matches of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. India are in Group A alongside Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong China.
The match on September 5 could have major implications for the group standings and qualification for the knockout stage.
For fans, however, the biggest question before the first ball may be whether Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana finally exchange the traditional handshake.
What Happens on September 5?
For now, there is no official confirmation that the captains will shake hands before the India vs Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup match.
Harmanpreet Kaur has made it clear that India’s priority is cricket. The answer to the handshake question will only become clear when the two teams meet in Dubai on September 5.
The India Pakistan rivalry is therefore set for another high-profile chapter with the cricket itself likely to remain the biggest story
