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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended its Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, after the handshake controversy during the Asia Cup 2025 match against India, sources confirmed on Monday.
Insiders reported that Wahla was removed from his position over the delay in issuing a formal response to the match referee’s conduct and India’s actions.
The board was reportedly dissatisfied with the delay of several hours before a protest was lodged.
The development comes in the backdrop of escalating tensions after the high-profile clash between Pakistan and India in Dubai, which ended with India sealing a seven-wicket victory.
The game sparked widespread controversy when both captains were instructed by match referee Andy Pycroft to avoid the customary handshake at the toss.
Matters worsened after the match when Indian players, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, bypassed Pakistan’s lineup and headed straight into the dressing room, refusing the traditional post-match handshake.
Pakistan players, who had waited for the gesture, were left visibly disappointed.
In response, the PCB formally lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), demanding Pycroft’s immediate removal from the ongoing Asia Cup.
The board stressed that his directive had violated both the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC’s laws, undermining the “spirit of cricket.”
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also serving as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President, voiced his disapproval on social media, calling the incident “against the spirit of the game” and urging corrective action.
Sources further revealed that the PCB has even threatened to boycott the remainder of the Asia Cup unless Pycroft is removed from his post.
READ: PCB demands removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from Asia Cup
