DUBAI: 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 removing of match referee Andy Pycroft from the continued Asia Cup 2025 over the handshake controversy throughout the Pakistan-India conflict.
The dispute arose on the toss, the place each captains skipped the normal handshake — an omission reportedly instructed by Pycroft.
“The PCB has lodged a criticism with the ICC relating to the match referee’s violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC legal guidelines. The match referee took motion towards the spirit of cricket. Now we have demanded the quick removing of Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup,” PCB chief Naqvi wrote in a put up on X.
In its criticism, the PCB chief termed the directive a breach of the spirit of cricket and opposite to the MCC’s legal guidelines.
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.
“Completely disappointing to witness the dearth of sportsmanship at the moment. Dragging politics into the sport goes towards the very spirit of sports activities. Let’s hope future victories are celebrated by all groups with grace,” Naqvi wrote.
Pakistan media supervisor Naveed Akram Cheema additionally recorded the protest with the match referee.
“The staff supervisor, Naveed Cheema, lodged a protest with match referee Andy Pycroft after the match,” mentioned Pakistan’s staff administration in a press release after the match.
“The behaviour of Indian gamers was towards the spirit of sportsmanship,” it added. “That’s the reason skipper Agha was not despatched to the post-match ceremony.”
In the meantime, India’s victorious captain, Suryakumar, defended his staff’s determination 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’re aligned with the federal government and Board of Management for Cricket in India,” mentioned Suryakumar after scoring 47 not out as India chased down a modest Pakistan goal of 128 in 15.5 overs.
“Some issues are above sportsmanship. Is it actually sportsmanship if you happen to don’t even shake arms with the opposing staff? That was our reply.”
The handshake subject had additionally come up earlier when Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha didn’t shake arms on the toss.
