Blind Cricket: India vs Pakistan Handshake Sparks Fresh Controversy After Match

India and Pakistan’s women cricketers set aside months of political friction on Sunday as they met in Sri Lanka for the ongoing Blind Women’s T20 Tournament, described by organisers as the world’s first of its kind. The two teams, who share one of sport’s fiercest rivalries, greeted each other warmly at the end of the match, offering a gesture that their fully sighted national sides have repeatedly refused in recent months.

The handshake came as a surprise. Neither team exchanged greetings at the toss, mirroring the stance taken by their mainstream men’s and women’s squads since the military clash between the two countries in May. But once the final ball was bowled, the players broke the pattern. They shook hands, exchanged compliments, and shared a brief moment of sporting calm.

The two sides even travelled to the venue in the same bus earlier in the day, an unusual scene for teams whose regular national counterparts have avoided face-to-face engagement for months. Their silent political message was unmistakable.

India Cruise to 8-Wicket Win

On the field, India produced a controlled performance to secure an 8-wicket victory. Pakistan posted 135 for eight in their 20 overs at the Free Trade Zone ground in Katunayake. India chased the target in 10.2 overs with a disciplined approach that reflected their growing confidence in the tournament.

Pakistan captain Nimra Rafique praised India’s complete performance and acknowledged the superior execution. India captain T. C. Deepika offered equal respect and said Pakistan had played with commitment throughout the match. The players applauded each other at the post-match gathering, even though they were not allowed to speak to the media.

The match unfolded in front of only a handful of spectators. Blind Sri Lankan officials who organised the tournament, relying on the commentary rather than visuals.

A Stage That Opens Doors for Dozens of Women

Before the game, the Indian team manager Shika Shetty said the event represents far more than a trophy. She believes this inaugural World Cup will change lives.

“This is the first-ever World Cup for blind women… I think this is one of the biggest opportunities for our entire visually impaired girls,” Shetty said. She hopes the exposure encourages more young women with disabilities to pursue studies and sport. “Maybe many girls with disabilities will come out from their villages,” she added.

The Pakistan camp echoed her sentiment. Coach Tahir Mehmood Butt said the format offers a future for players with strong hearing skills. “For the totally blind, if they have good hearing, they can become good cricketers,” he said. He believes the sport’s expansion has opened long-awaited doors.

Blind cricket follows its own set of rules. The players detect a rattling ball made of plastic and about the size of a tennis ball. Each team must field four completely blind players, three with minimal sight up to two metres, and four who can see up to around six metres. Bowling is underarm, and fully blind batters use partially sighted runners.

The tournament features Australia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the United States alongside India and Pakistan. The event began in India before shifting to Sri Lanka for the final leg. Colombo will host the final next Sunday.