Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi (centre), together with former chairmen Najam Sethi (left) and Ramiz Raja, throughout a latest press convention on the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 17, 2025. — X@TheRealPCB/Screengrab
LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi mentioned that the nation’s honour remained intact through the handshake controversy that erupted after the ACC Males’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 match in opposition to arch-rivals India.
Naqvi, flanked by former chairmen Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi, informed reporters at Gaddafi Stadium that Zimbabwe-based match referee Andy Pycroft had formally apologised to nationwide captain Salman Ali Agha, the coach and the crew supervisor, acknowledging the considerations raised by the aspect.
“A short while ago, the match referee apologised to the captain and team manager. We have also lodged a formal request with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to investigate the breaches that occurred during the September 14 fixture,” Naqvi mentioned.
“I consulted former chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja on the matter. Thank God, Pakistan’s honour has been preserved, and now we expect the team to focus on their performance,” he added.
Former PCB chairman and commentator Ramiz Raja welcomed the event, calling it a “victory for Pakistan” and urging all stakeholders to focus on cricket moderately than off-field distractions.
“This is a victory for Pakistan. Whatever hurt was felt, the focus must now return to the team’s performance. Cricket should remain cricket, not a political platform. Everyone’s attention should be on the game; the team must deliver on the field,” Raja mentioned.
He additionally questioned the officiating, remarking, “Andy Pycroft has shown bias in favour of the Indian team.”
Najam Sethi reiterated the PCB’s long-standing place: “The PCB has always maintained that politics should have no place in sport.”
The press convention adopted Pycroft’s apology for the handshake row that arose through the ACC Males’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 blockbuster in opposition to India.
Based on the PCB, Pycroft described the incident because of miscommunication. The ICC has indicated its willingness to conduct a proper inquiry into the alleged breach of the code of conduct.
“The ICC match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team,” the PCB said. “He had barred the captains of India and Pakistan from shaking hands during the match. The PCB reacted strongly to his actions. The ICC has now expressed its willingness to investigate.”
In the meantime, the nationwide squad and assist workers arrived on the stadium after receiving PCB clearance.
Pycroft, whom the PCB held answerable for mishandling the handshake incident, had earlier been reported to have left for ICC headquarters in Dubai.
