DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft after a controversy erupted during Sunday’s high-profile India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025.
The PCB accused Pycroft of instructing both captains to skip the customary pre-match handshake, calling it a “clear violation of the spirit of cricket” and the long-standing traditions upheld by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
Cricket fans had noticed the unusual absence of the gesture at the toss, which usually symbolises respect and sportsmanship before a game. The PCB says this was no accident but a directive from the match referee, raising concerns about neutrality and the integrity of the tournament.
Post-Match Disappointment
The controversy deepened after India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets. Instead of shaking hands with their opponents, the Indian players celebrated among themselves and walked off the field, leaving the Pakistani team waiting in line.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson confirmed the players were surprised by the snub, having expected the traditional show of mutual respect at the end of the game. The incident, described by the PCB as “disrespectful”, has reignited debate over sportsmanship in international cricket.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who guided his side to victory with an unbeaten 47, defended the decision. He told reporters that the no-handshake stance was in line with directives from the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “We are in sync with the government and the BCCI,” he said.
A Silent Protest
In response, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha staged a rare silent protest by skipping the post-match presentation ceremony. Captains are traditionally required to attend regardless of the result, making his absence a bold and unusual step.
The PCB later formalised its complaint in a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and MCC. It accused Pycroft of failing to uphold the ICC Code of Conduct and suggested that tournament officials were acting under political pressure.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), expressed his frustration on social media platform X, stating: “The match referee took action against the spirit of cricket. We’ve demanded the immediate removal of Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup.”
What Happens Next?
The ICC and MCC have not yet responded publicly to the complaint. But the row has cast a shadow over the Asia Cup, raising serious questions about neutrality, respect, and the political undercurrents in cricket’s biggest rivalries.
With the spotlight firmly on the ICC, cricket’s governing bodies now face pressure to address the controversy that has shaken the tournament and divided fans.
