‘No handshake’ again: Harmanpreet, Fatima avoid customary gesture at Asia Cup toss
The long-standing no-handshake tradition persisted between the captains of India and Pakistan during the Asia Cup match. In Dubai, Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bat first. Notably, Harmanpreet Kaur marked her 150th T20I match as captain. With both teams already in the semi-finals, India's aim remains to uphold their dominance over Pakistan.
In the Women's Asia Cup 2026, the customary handshake between India and Pakistan cricket captains Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana was once again avoided during the toss ahead of Saturday's clash in Dubai. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bat first. The no-handshake trend has persisted in India-Pakistan cricket encounters since last year, including their match in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in Birmingham.
After the toss, focus shifted to the game itself as Pakistan aimed to set a daunting target. India, currently in a strong position after winning their opening two matches, were keen on maintaining their dominance. Harmanpreet expressed confidence in her team's bowling attack to restrict Pakistan to a manageable score. Harmanpreet also achieved a historic milestone as she became the first cricketer — male or female — to captain in 150 T20I matches during the same game.
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