No Handshake Controversy: A big update has come out on the ongoing 'no handshake' controversy in Asia Cup 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Workbench (PCB) got a big setback when the ICC rejected their demand in which they had asked to remove the match referee of the tournament, Andy Pycroft. ICC has made it well-spoken that Pycroft will remain in his role and the operation of the tournament will protract as before.
How the controversy started
The controversy arose when Team India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets. After the match was over, the Indian players refused to join hands with Pakistani players, which wroth Pakistan's players and boards. The PCB complained to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the ICC of the unshortened case. He so-called that the match referee, Andy Pycroft, prevented Pakistan tutorage Salman Ali Aga from joining hands with Indian tutorage Suryakumar Yadav during the toss.
Pakistan's demand to remove Andy Pycroft from panel of match referees for Asia Cup has been rejected: ICC source
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 16, 2025PCB's threat: Warning of match boycott
The PCB not only lodged a complaint but moreover warned that if their demand is not met, they will snub the tournament. The workbench had unmistakably said that if the ICC does not decide to remove Pycroft, then Pakistan will not participate in the match versus UAE on September 17.
ICC's reply: Referee's visualization is not personal
ICC sources told news organ PTI that the workbench has formally rejected the PCB's demand. The ICC said in its reply that the match referee's visualization was not personal. The ACC officials present on the ground had once informed Pycroft that there would be no handshake at the toss. The referee only followed that instruction.
Pakistan now faces a big challenge
After this visualization of the ICC, it will now be interesting to see what the PCB decides as its next step. Will Pakistan play in the match to be held on September 17? Or will it act on its threat and exit the tournament?
