The collage of photographs reveals Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi (Proper) and match referee Andy Pycroft. — ICC/APPDispute arises at Pakistan vs India match toss over handshake snub.Omission of gesture reportedly instructed by match refree Pycroft.Pakistan gamers awaited customary handshake post-match as nicely.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed a proper criticism with the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Membership (MCC), calling for the elimination of match referee Andy Pycroft from the continued Asia Cup 2025 over the handshake controversy through the Pakistan-India conflict.
The dispute arose on the toss, the place each captains skipped the standard handshake — an omission reportedly instructed by Pycroft.
“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding the match referee’s violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC laws. The match referee took action against the spirit of cricket. We have demanded the immediate removal of Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup,” PCB chief Naqvi wrote in a publish on his official X, previously Twitter, deal with on Monday.
In its criticism, the PCB chief termed the directive a breach of the spirit of cricket and opposite to the MCC’s legal guidelines.
“There is nothing more important to me than the honour and prestige of my country,” he stated in one other X publish.
The controversy emerged after Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who struck the successful runs, celebrated with teammate Shivam Dube earlier than heading straight to the dressing room.
Whereas the Indian gamers congratulated one another on the dugout, they avoided acknowledging or shaking arms with the Pakistani staff.
Pakistan’s gamers lined up anticipating the customary handshake, solely to see the Indian staff retreat and shut the dressing room doorways.
Head coach Mike Hesson confirmed that the staff had been ready for the gesture that by no means got here.
In protest, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha refused to attend the post-match presentation ceremony, breaking from broadcast norms the place captains often share their ideas.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who additionally serves because the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), earlier took to the social media platform and condemned the incident, describing it as a blatant snub.
“Utterly disappointing to witness the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let’s hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace,” Naqvi wrote.
Pakistan media supervisor Naveed Akram Cheema additionally recorded the protest with the match referee.
“The team manager, Naveed Cheema, lodged a protest with match referee Andy Pycroft after the match,” stated Pakistan’s staff administration in a press release after the match.
“The behaviour of Indian players was against the spirit of sportsmanship,” it added. “That is why skipper Agha was not sent to the post-match ceremony.”
In the meantime, India’s victorious captain, Suryakumar, defended his staff’s resolution to not shake arms with the defeated Pakistan gamers on Sunday, saying that it was taken in alignment with their authorities and cricket board.
“We are aligned with the government and Board of Control for Cricket in India,” stated Suryakumar after scoring 47 not out as India chased down a modest Pakistan goal of 128 in 15.5 overs.
“Some things are above sportsmanship. Is it really sportsmanship if you don’t even shake hands with the opposing team? That was our answer.”
The handshake problem had additionally come up earlier when Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha didn’t shake arms on the toss.
