A gesture of unity amid tense sporting relations
In an era where India-Pakistan cricket encounters are often defined by strained relations and avoided pleasantries, the blind women’s teams of both nations have offered a powerful alternative. During the ongoing T20 World Cup for the Blind in Sri Lanka, the Indian and Pakistani women’s teams defied diplomatic friction with a simple but impactful act: they shook hands, having travelled to the venue together in the same bus, according to AFP.
The gesture came after their group-stage clash at the Free Trade Zone grounds in Katunayake, just north of Colombo. While there was no handshake at the toss, players from both teams exchanged greetings at the end — a stark contrast to recent men’s and women’s fixtures, where teams have avoided such courtesies. The moment served as a rare and refreshing display of cricketing camaraderie, drawing widespread praise online and highlighting the unifying power of sport.
Breaking new ground in blind women’s cricket
This match was part of what organisers have described as the world’s first blind women’s T20 tournament, and the Indian team’s manager, Shika Shetty, emphasized its broader social impact. “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,” she told AFP before the match.
She added that the tournament’s visibility could help inspire more participation from underrepresented groups across rural India. “Maybe many girls with disabilities will come out from their villages. Maybe they will come for studies, maybe they will come for the sport. So it is helpful for other girls too.”
Pakistan’s coach, Tahir Mehmood Butt, echoed the sentiment, pointing out how blind cricket is creating accessible platforms for new talent. “For the totally blind, if they have good hearing, they can become good cricketers,” he told AFP.
On-field action: India cruise past Pakistan
In terms of the game itself, India secured a dominant eight-wicket win, chasing down Pakistan’s total of 135 in just 10.2 overs. The match marked India’s fifth consecutive win in the tournament. Indian captain T.C. Deepika led the charge with 45 runs, while Anekha Devi scored an unbeaten 64, earning her the Player of the Match award.
Pakistan’s innings had earlier stumbled to 23 for 4 before a crucial 66 from Mehreen Ali and 44 from Bushra Ashraf lifted the team to a respectable total. However, India’s fielding was clinical, registering seven run-outs in the innings.
Despite the competitive nature of the match, both teams exchanged warm words post-game. Pakistan captain Nimra Rafique congratulated India on their commanding win, while India’s Deepika responded by saying Pakistan had played well. Though neither side was allowed to speak to the media, their gestures on the field said plenty.
The rules, the rhythm, and the road ahead
Blind cricket follows its own unique rules: a rattling white plastic ball (about the size of a tennis ball) helps players locate it using sound. Each team must include four completely blind players, three who can see up to two metres, and four partially sighted players with up to six metres of vision. Bowlers deliver the ball underarm, and totally blind batters are allowed a partially sighted runner.
Alongside India and Pakistan, the tournament also features teams from Australia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the United States. While the competition began in India, it has moved to Sri Lanka for the latter stages. The final is scheduled to take place this Sunday in Colombo.
More than a match
While India’s win and semifinal qualification made headlines, the biggest takeaway may well have been the post-match moment of mutual respect. In a year where diplomatic tensions have often spilled onto the cricket field — from the Asia Cup to the Women’s T20 World Cup — it was the blind women’s teams who restored some of the lost spirit of the game.
Their handshake was more than a formality; it was a reminder that even in the fiercest of rivalries, sportsmanship can still prevail — especially when led by those often overlooked.
