WEB DESK: The 2025 Asia Cup has been plunged into controversy after the Pakistan-India clash in Dubai ended in a storm over an abandoned handshake ritual, sparking formal protests, heated statements, and threats of withdrawal from the tournament.

The group-stage fixture — won by India — took an unusual turn when the Indian players walked off the field without the customary post-match handshake, leaving the Pakistani squad visibly stunned. The Pakistani team management later revealed that match referee Andy Pycroft had instructed both captains before the toss to skip the pre-match handshake. Whether that directive extended to the post-match exchange, however, remains unclear.

Formal protests lodged
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson condemned what he termed a “severe lack of sportsmanship,” while team manager Naveed Akram Cheema directly blamed the referee’s handling of the situation for the confusion. “The absence of a handshake wasn’t just disappointing; it was damaging to the spirit of the game,” he said.

In a strongly worded letter, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged an official protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and demanded Pycroft’s immediate removal for the remainder of the tournament, warning that the episode risked undermining cricket’s gentlemanly traditions.

ICC refuses action
However, the ICC has rejected the demand, stating there was “insufficient cause” to remove the referee. Sources confirmed that the global body has chosen to back Pycroft, despite the controversy’s diplomatic and emotional undertones in the subcontinent.

PCB weighs options
In Lahore and Islamabad, high-level meetings have been underway. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, COO Sameer Ahmed, and PSL CEO Salman Naseer are reportedly considering “all options,” including possible withdrawal from the Asia Cup or filing a formal appeal with ICC’s ethics and conduct committees.

“The issue is no longer about one match,” a PCB insider told Dawn.com. “It’s about respect, protocol, and the spirit of the game.”