The tension between India and Pakistan has grown without their Asia Cup 2025 match at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The problem started when players did not shake hands without the game. On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took the matter remoter by asking for match referee Andy Pycroft to be removed from the tournament. PCB moreover warned the ICC that they could pull out of the Asia Cup if their request is not accepted.
PCB Accuses Referee of Bias
PCB claims that Pycroft exceeded his validity by telling captains Suryakumar Yadav (India) and Salman Agha (Pakistan) not to shake hands at the toss, seeming to favor one team. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who moreover leads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), stated on social media, “The PCB has filed a complaint with the ICC regarding breaches of the Match Referee’s responsibilities, the ICC Code of Conduct, and the MCC Laws on the Spirit of Cricket. They demand his firsthand removal from the Asia Cup.”
Threat of Boycott
According to Cricbuzz, PCB may snub their next match versus UAE on September 17 if Pycroft is not removed. CricketPakistan.com reported that PCB insists, “Pycroft must be removed from the Asia Cup or we will not play remoter matches.” Earlier, the same outlet mentioned that ACC is once reviewing India’s deportment over the handshake controversy. Pycroft is now in the spotlight for not properly addressing PCB’s complaint. He has been accused of ignoring the Spirit of Cricket during the Group A match, violating ICC rules, and vicarial versus MCC laws, which is stuff tabbed a serious breach.
The Controversy Details
The issue started when Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistan without the match. Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, who led India to victory with seven wickets remaining, went straight to the dressing room. Pakistani players, led by Salman Agha, waited outside the Indian dressing room but received no response. This left Pakistan’s throne mentor Mike Hesson angry, and Salman skipped the post-match interview in protest. No official penalties have been spoken yet, but India and Pakistan are expected to squatter each other then on Sunday in the Super Four stage.
