The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) protested India’s Pakistan Asia Cup match referee Andy Pycroft following Sunday’s game in Dubai, accusing him of violating the ICC’s Code of Conduct and the “Spirit of Cricket.” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that the board has formally complained to the International Cricket Council (ICC), demanding Pycroft’s immediate removal from the Asia Cup 2025.
“The PCB has filed a complaint regarding violations by the match referee and demanded his removal,” Naqvi said on X.
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India Beat Pakistan, but Handshake Row Sparks PCB Protest
India secured a seven-wicket victory in the Asia Cup 2025 match, led by Kuldeep Yadav’s effective bowling and captain Suryakumar Yadav’s finishing six. The win, however, was overshadowed by post-match controversy.
The Indian team did not shake hands with Pakistani players after the game — a gesture traditionally symbolizing respect in cricket. This refusal became the central point of the PCB protest India Pakistan Asia Cup complaint.
Suryakumar later explained that the move aligned with instructions from the BCCI and the Indian government. He also dedicated the win to the Indian armed forces, citing the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack — an incident India blamed on Pakistan, which Islamabad strongly denies.
PCB’s Official Complaint: “Spirit of Cricket Was Violated”
The PCB confirmed that Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema officially protested. The complaint alleges that the match referee had advised captains not to shake hands even before the toss, which the PCB considers a breach of cricket’s sportsmanship values.
Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, skipped the post-match ceremony in protest, while coach Mike Hesson said the refusal to shake hands was “extremely disappointing.”
“We were prepared to engage in a handshake, but India’s conduct broke the Spirit of Cricket,” Hesson stated.
This deepened the PCB protest over the India-Pakistan Asia Cup incident, drawing global attention.
PCB Chairman’s Statement
Mohsin Naqvi took to X to condemn the controversy:
“Utterly disappointing to see politics overshadow sports. The PCB protests India Pakistan Asia Cup referee’s role because it goes against the very spirit of cricket. Victories should be celebrated with grace.”
India, however, maintained that boycotting or altering tournament conduct could damage its standing as a future host of multinational cricket events.
Politics Overshadowing Cricket
The PCB protest over the India-Pakistan Asia Cup dispute highlights how cricket between the two nations continues to reflect broader political issues. While India and Pakistan share one of the fiercest rivalries in sport, their encounters are frequently shaped by diplomatic tensions, national security concerns, and political messaging — extending far beyond the boundary ropes.
