The no-handshake controversy following the Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium took a dramatic turn on Monday, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) intensifying its protest to an unprecedented level.
A day after filing an official complaint against the Indian team with match referee Andy Pycroft, the PCB shifted its focus to the match official himself, demanding his immediate removal from the ongoing tournament. The board alleged that Pycroft overstepped his authority by instructing the two captains, Suryakumar Yadav of India and Pakistan’s Salam Agha, not to shake hands at the toss, an action the PCB claims showed bias in favour of one side.
“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also leads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said in a social media statement on Monday.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the PCB has threatened to boycott its next fixture, against the UAE on 17 September, if Pycroft is not withdrawn from the panel of referees. While the website noted that the information could not be independently verified, a report by CricketPakistan.com echoed the claim, stating the PCB insisted that “Pycroft must be removed from the Asia Cup or it will not play further matches.”
Earlier, the same outlet had reported that the ACC was already considering disciplinary action against India over the alleged refusal to participate in the customary post-match handshake.
