Daijiworld Media Network - Colombo

Colombo, Oct 3: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to clash in a thrilling encounter at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 on Sunday, October 5, at the iconic R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian side enters the match as favourites after a solid start to their campaign with a 59-run (DLS) victory over Sri Lanka in a rain-affected opening game. In contrast, Fatima Sana’s Pakistan suffered a setback, losing by seven wickets to underdogs Bangladesh.

India, unbeaten against Pakistan in 11 previous women’s ODIs, will aim to maintain their dominant streak. A win here will be vital for the Women in Blue as they prepare to face tougher league-stage opponents — South Africa and Australia — in their upcoming fixtures.

Continuing the stance taken by the Indian men’s team during the Asia Cup in Dubai, Team India’s women’s squad will skip customary handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts at the toss and after the match.

“The BCCI is aligned with the government, and there will be no customary handshake at the toss, no photo shoot with the match referee, and no end-of-game handshakes. The policy followed by the men will also be implemented by the women,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.

The move comes after recent tensions escalated when PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi refused to hand over the winner’s trophy to India’s Suryakumar Yadav during the men’s Asia Cup in Dubai — an incident that deepened the rift between the two cricket boards.

With both sides eyeing a crucial win, Sunday’s Indo-Pak clash promises to be one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the Women’s World Cup 2025.