Let’s call a spade a spade — India’s upcoming clash with Pakistan in the Women’s World Cup is attracting attention for reasons that go far beyond the boundary ropes. The memories of the Men’s Asia Cup remain fresh, when India defeated Pakistan three times but refused to collect the trophy from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as president of the Asian Cricket Council.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav had confirmed that the decision was taken collectively by the players and that no one pressured them into it. Consequently, the trophy was never formally presented.

Amid such theatrics, the essence of the game risks being overshadowed. As the Indian women’s team prepares to face Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, fans are hoping the match will be remembered for skill, spirit, and sportsmanship — not controversy.

From warmth to silence

Unlike the men’s rivalry, India-Pakistan women’s matches have largely stayed free of tension. Yet, with diplomatic relations at a low following the Pahalgam attack earlier this year, even women’s cricket finds itself under the shadow of politics.

The camaraderie once visible between players seems a distant memory. Who can forget the 2022 World Cup, when Pakistan’s then-skipper Bismah Maroof brought her daughter Fatima to the field, and Indian players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh shared moments of warmth with the child?

Fast forward to 2025 — the laughter and affection have faded. Following the precedent set by Suryakumar’s team, the Indian women will reportedly not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts before or after the match.

Keeping politics off the pitch

Both teams, however, are striving to maintain focus. At India’s pre-match press conference, when a journalist raised a political question, the media coordinator swiftly intervened, signalling that this match is about cricket, not conflict.

A similar sentiment came from Pakistan’s camp. Skipper Fatima Sana, recalling the warmth of 2022, spoke of keeping the “spirit of the game alive” despite political tensions.

Even Harmanpreet Kaur has made it clear that the team will not waste energy on matters beyond their control. “We are here to play cricket,” she reportedly said.

On-field focus: India favourites, Pakistan hopeful

In terms of performance, India have a dominant 11-0 record against Pakistan in ODIs since 2005. The contest has historically been one-sided, but Pakistan captain Fatima Sana remains optimistic.

“Records are meant to be broken. We focus on the match day — not on history,” Fatima said. “When you play against big teams, you plan and execute. Any team can win if it performs well.”

Pakistan’s confidence took a hit after a seven-wicket loss to Bangladesh, where they were bundled out for 129. India, meanwhile, are riding high after a comprehensive win over Sri Lanka, underlining their balance and depth.

Pitch and match details

The R Premadasa pitch in Colombo is expected to offer a fair contest between bat and ball. While batters may find runs on offer, swing bowlers like Diana Baig and Kranti Gaud could make early inroads.

Match details:

  • Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
  • Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025
  • Time: 3 PM IST
  • Broadcast: Star Sports Network
  • Livestream: JioHotstar

Probable Playing XIs

India Women: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur/Renuka Singh, Sneh Rana/Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani.

Pakistan Women: Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (c), Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal.

As both teams step onto the field, one hopes that cricket — not politics — takes centre stage. Because in the end, it should be the game that wins.