India Women vs Pakistan Women Scorecard: Handshake Controversy

Cricket rivalries don’t get much bigger than India versus Pakistan, and the women’s World Cup clash on April 20, 2025, added fresh drama to the history books. India Women won by 88 runs, but the scorecard tells only half the story. From a handshake snub to an insect repellent spray, the match stirred as much talk off the field as on it. Here’s what happened and what it means for both teams.

Match Result: India Women won by 88 runs ·
Top Scorer: Smriti Mandhana 87 (120) ·
Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma ·
Best Bowler: Deepti Sharma 4/32

Six key numbers from the match, one pattern: India dominated with both bat and ball, while Pakistan’s fightback was led by Diana Baig and Bismah Maroof.

Did Harmanpreet Kaur shake hands?

What happened after the match between India and Pakistan women?

• At the toss, the two captains did not exchange handshakes, a break from convention that mirrored the men’s team’s behavior in recent tournaments (Sky Sports (cricket news)).
• Sky Sports reported that Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana avoided any pre‑match pleasantries, and the tension was visible throughout the game.
• The incident sparked debate on sportsmanship, with some linking it to political tensions between the two nations.

What this means: The no-handshake gesture, while not unprecedented in India‑Pakistan fixtures, shifts the focus away from the sporting contest and draws attention to the off‑field dynamics that continue to shadow this rivalry.

Why did Fatima Sana spray?

What did Fatima Sana spray and why?

• During the match, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana was seen spraying insect repellent into the air, a moment that was widely interpreted as a gesture of protest or annoyance (Sky Sports (cricket news)).
• The exact reason remains unclear, with speculation ranging from an actual insect problem to a symbolic act.
• The incident added another layer of tension to an already charged atmosphere.

The trade-off: While the spray itself was minor, in the context of the broader handshake controversy it reinforced the narrative of a hostile field environment. Without an official explanation, the ambiguity lingers.

Is IND W qualified for semi-final?

Can India still qualify for the World Cup 2026 semi-finals?

• India Women’s 88‑run victory secured their place in the semi‑finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 (NDTV Sports (sports news)).
• The semi‑finalists have been confirmed, with India advancing alongside other top teams.
• For Pakistan, the loss meant elimination from the tournament.

Why this matters: Qualification not only extends India’s title hopes but also provides a chance to put the off‑field controversies behind them and focus on winning the cup.

Who won most in IND vs PAK?

What is the historical head-to-head record between India and Pakistan women’s teams?

The head-to-head record shows India’s sustained dominance across formats.

The pattern: India’s batting depth and spin bowling have consistently been the difference, while Pakistan has shown flashes of promise but lacks consistent execution in high‑pressure matches.

Who has scored the most centuries in women’s cricket?

How many centuries have been scored in India vs Pakistan women’s matches?

• In women’s ODI cricket, the record for most centuries is held by Mithali Raj (7 centuries) and Smriti Mandhana (5 centuries), both from India (ICC (governing body)).
• In the India‑Pakistan rivalry, no women’s century has been scored by either side in ODIs — the highest individual score remains Smriti Mandhana’s 87 in this match.

The catch: Despite the lack of centuries in head‑to‑head matches, the rivalry has produced some memorable innings, and the current generation of players is closing in on that milestone.

Timeline of events

• 2025-04-20 1st Innings: India Women bat first; Smriti Mandhana scores 87; team all out for 247 in 50 overs.
• 2025-04-20 2nd Innings: Pakistan Women struggle; Deepti Sharma takes 4 wickets; all out for 159.
• 2025-04-20 Post-match: Harmanpreet Kaur does not shake hands with Pakistani players; Fatima Sana sprays insect repellent.
• 2025-04-21: Semi-finalists confirmed; India Women qualify.

For Indian cricket fans, the qualification is a bright spot; for the team, the off‑field noise is a distraction they must manage. The coming semi‑finals will test whether India can channel this tension into performance.

To review the full statistical breakdown of that tense encounter, check out the India Women vs Pakistan Women scorecard with all the key batting and bowling figures.

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