The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), urging the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.
The complaint stems from the controversial decision to skip the traditional post-match handshake during the Pakistan-India encounter — a gesture widely regarded as a symbol of sportsmanship and mutual respect.
According to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Pycroft instructed both captains not to shake hands at the toss, a move he described as a violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and the spirit of cricket.
“We have demanded the immediate removal of Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup. His actions were against the very principles on which cricket is built,” Naqvi said in a statement.
The controversy deepened after India’s winning run, when the Indian players returned directly to the dressing room without acknowledging the Pakistani team, leaving Pakistan’s players lined up in anticipation of the customary gesture.
Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson confirmed the squad had been waiting for the handshake that never came. In protest, skipper Salman Ali Agha refrained from attending the post-match ceremony, breaking tradition.
Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as ACC President, expressed his disappointment on social media: “It was disheartening to see politics overshadow sportsmanship.
Cricket should unite, not divide. Let us hope future matches reflect respect, grace, and the true spirit of the game.”
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, however, defended the move, stating it was made in alignment with his government and cricket board. His remarks underscored how political tensions had spilled into the cricket field.
At its heart, the incident highlights the importance of preserving cricket’s role as a bridge between nations. Handshakes in sport symbolize dignity, respect, and humanity — values that must remain above politics.
Both sides are being urged by fans and analysts alike to restore the spirit of cricket, reminding the world that the game is bigger than any rivalry.
