Advertisement
Advertisement
DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the handshake controversy in the India clash.
The fixture, played under a tense backdrop, witnessed unusual scenes right from the toss, where both captains skipped the customary handshake.
According to the PCB, this was on the instructions of match referee Pycroft, a directive they believe went against the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.
“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB said in its letter, stressing that Andy Pycroft “failed to fulfil his responsibilities as match referee.”
Pakistan’s discontent grew after India’s seven-wicket win on Sunday. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who struck the winning runs, celebrated with teammate Shivam Dube before both walked straight to the dressing room.
While Indian players congratulated each other at the dugout, they refrained from acknowledging or shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts.
Pakistan’s players, meanwhile, lined up and waited for the customary handshake, only to see the Indian team retreat to their dressing room and close the doors.
The snub left Pakistan visibly disappointed, with head coach Mike Hesson confirming the team had been waiting for the gesture that never came.
In protest, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha refused to attend the post-match presentation ceremony, breaking away from broadcast norms where captains usually share their thoughts after the game.
“The refusal of Indian players to shake hands is against sportsmanship, and the match referee’s instructions only made matters worse,” the PCB maintained in its letter, repeatedly emphasising the “spirit of the game.”
READ: Former Pakistan captain slams India over handshake controversy
