India, Oct. 4 -- Every time India and Pakistan face each other, the contest is rarely confined to the cricket field. The latest chapter in their intense rivalry, in the Women's World Cup in neutral Colombo on Sunday, comes after a week where off-field controversies have taken centre stage.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with his Pakistan counterpart at the toss during last month's T20 Asia Cup, a tournament that ended with a bigger row over the winners' trophy that is yet to be sorted. It has only increased the scrutiny ahead of the women's Cup tie.

Already, former Pakistan captain Sana Mir's on-air reference to Kashmir and India's decision to maintain the no-hand shake rule has raised tension in the build-up to t...