Handshake row: Will India and Pakistan players shake hands in T20 World Cup? Harmanpreet Kaur responds | Cricket News

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said her team is focused only on cricket ahead of Sunday’s Women’s T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, adding that discussions within the squad revolve solely around the game.India and Pakistan will meet in a Group 1 fixture at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The match comes against the backdrop of recent instances where Indian teams have not exchanged handshakes with Pakistan players. At last year’s ODI World Cup, Harmanpreet and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana did not shake hands during the toss.Since the men’s Asia Cup last year, players from both the men’s and women’s teams have not shaken hands with Pakistan players. The approach adopted by Suryakumar Yadav’s side at the Asia Cup was also followed at the Women’s World Cup, U19 World Cup, Rising Stars Asia Cup and Men’s T20 World Cup.Speaking to reporters on the eve of the match, Harmanpreet said the team is concentrating only on the cricketing challenge.“I think we are here for cricket, and we only talk about cricket, except that we don’t talk about anything, and I don’t even talk about anything except cricket. Cricket has been our dream from day one, and we only discuss cricket and tomorrow’s game, we are only thinking about it. It’s another game which we are going to play,” Kaur said.The India skipper acknowledged that games against Pakistan bring added pressure but said handling and enjoying that pressure is part of international cricket.“Definitely, pressure is going to be there. Whenever we play against Pakistan, pressure is going to be there. But at the same time, it’s only about how we are going to enjoy that pressure. Because in any international game, pressure is going to be there. It’s only about just giving you 100% on that game and enjoying every moment,” she added.India enter the tournament after ending their ICC title wait by winning the ODI World Cup last year. They will now look to add a Women’s T20 World Cup trophy to their cabinet.The Women in Blue have reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals five times and have played one final, but are yet to win the tournament.