ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), seeking the immediate removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 over the “handshake controversy” that marred Sunday’s Pakistan-India clash.
The dispute began at the toss when both captains skipped the customary handshake — a move reportedly directed 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 chairman Mohsin Naqvi wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday.
Naqvi termed the directive a breach of cricket’s spirit and contrary to MCC laws, adding: “There is nothing more important to me than the honour and prestige of my country.”
Players protest snub
The controversy deepened after India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who guided his side to victory with an unbeaten 47, celebrated with teammate Shivam Dube before walking straight to the dressing room. While Indian players congratulated each other at the dugout, they refrained from acknowledging or shaking hands with the Pakistani side.
Pakistan’s players had lined up for the customary gesture, only to watch the Indian team retreat and shut the dressing room doors. Head coach Mike Hesson later confirmed the team had been waiting for the handshake that never came.
In protest, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha refused to attend the post-match presentation ceremony — a break from broadcast norms where captains customarily share their reflections.
PCB media manager Naveed Akram Cheema also recorded a formal protest with Pycroft after the match. “The behaviour of Indian players was against the spirit of sportsmanship. That is why skipper Agha was not sent to the post-match ceremony,” the team management said in a statement.
Indian stance
Meanwhile, India’s victorious captain defended his team’s stance, saying the decision not to shake hands was taken in alignment with New Delhi and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“We are aligned with the government and the BCCI. Some things are above sportsmanship. Is it really sportsmanship if you don’t even shake hands with the opposing team? That was our answer,” Suryakumar said.
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The handshake issue had already surfaced earlier in the match when Suryakumar and Salman Ali Agha declined to shake hands at the toss.
PCB chief Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), condemned the incident in strong terms. “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,” he posted on X.
