Pakistan journalist stopped from raising Asia Cup controversy ahead of IND-PAK Women’s World Cup clash: ‘Let’s move on’

A Pakistani journalist was stopped from asking a question related to the Asia Cup 2025 controversy that spilled onto the field during the India vs Pakistan women’s match at the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. Harmanpreet Kaur’s India take on Pakistan in their second round robin match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (5 October).

The recent India vs Pakistan matches in the men’s Asia Cup 2025 witnessed a lot of drama and controversies as Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in all three matches to express solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Army. Suryakumar Yadav and Co also refused to take the trophy from Pakistan cricket chief Mohsin Naqvi after beating Pakistan in the final, leading to a new controversy as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief took the trophy away to his hotel.

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Both Indian and Pakistani cricket boards are currently engaged in a battle over the trophy, and many expect that the women’s match on Sunday may also become a victim of that animosity.

Pak journalist stopped from raising Asia Cup controversy

It has already been confirmed that the Indian women would not be shaking hands with Pakistani players in the match. In the pre-match press conference, India’s bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi was asked if the “bitterness” from the Asia Cup would carry over to the Women’s Cricket World Cup match, but the former Indian pacer was stopped from answering the question asked by the Pakistani newspaper Dawn reporter, Abyan Amir.

“I had a question for the Indian captain, but since you’re here, I’ll ask you instead. We’ve seen that the women’s teams of both Pakistan and India share good camaraderie, at least leading up to this World Cup. So, do you think the bitterness from the Asia Cup might carry over to the women’s teams as well?” Amir asked, before adding a question about conditions in Colombo.

The media manager, however, was quick to remind the Pakistani journalist that questions over politics would not be entertained.

“Hi, just a reminder — we said we wouldn’t be taking that first question, so let’s move on to the next one,” she said.

For the unversed, India have a 100% record against Pakistan women in ODIs, having won all 11 matches so far. They started their campaign with a 59-run win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

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