KEY POINTS
- A missed handshake at the toss from Indian Captain has snowballed into a major controversy during Asia Cup
- Suryakumar Yadav has been reprimanded by the ICC for post-match remarks deemed political by the PCB
- The PCB formally complained to the ICC, accusing Yadav of violating neutrality and tarnishing cricket’s spirit
- The BCCI filed a counter-complaint against Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for “gestures.”
- Both Pakistani players will appear before ICC officials on Friday
ISLAMABAD: The ever-intense cricket rivalry between Pakistan and India has moved off the field, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) stepping in after a handshake controversy and political remarks sparked formal complaints from both boards ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final.
The latest flashpoint came after India’s group-stage win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup on September 14, when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav made post-match remarks that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called “political” and “damaging to the spirit of cricket.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has now reprimanded Yadav, warning him to avoid political statements in future. The ruling followed a closed-door hearing with ICC officials.
No Handshake, No Peace?
The controversy first flared when both captains skipped the traditional pre-match handshake at the toss, reportedly on the advice of the match referee, an unusual break from protocol that immediately drew attention and fuelled speculation of political tensions spilling onto the field.
The incident was followed by Yadav’s controversial remarks, prompting the PCB to file a formal complaint to the ICC. In a detailed letter, the Pakistan Cricket Board demanded strict disciplinary action, accusing the Indian skipper of violating the ICC’s code of conduct on political neutrality.
“Unprecedented” and “Detrimental”
Yadav’s comments, made after India’s seven-wicket victory, triggered widespread criticism. Veteran cricket analysts described them as “unprecedented” and “detrimental to the spirit of the game.”
The match itself, always one of the most-watched events in world cricket, now finds itself overshadowed by political undertones and off-field controversies.
Counter-Complaint from India
In a tit-for-tat move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) filed a formal complaint against Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan over their “gestures” during the Super Fours clash in Dubai last Sunday.
The BCCI submitted the complaint via email on Wednesday, pointing to Farhan’s animated celebration after reaching a half-century and Rauf’s gestures toward fans while fielding near the boundary, moments that quickly went viral and became hot topics across social media platforms.
ICC Hearing Looms
Both Rauf and Farhan are expected to appear before the ICC governing body on Friday, where match referee Richie Richardson will oversee the proceedings. Andy Pycroft, also serving as a match referee for the tournament, is likely to be involved.
If the players deny the allegations, a formal hearing will be held.
Cricket’s Oldest Rivalry, Reignited Off the Field
What started as a missed handshake has now escalated into a full-blown diplomatic cricket standoff, with both sides trading accusations and turning the Asia Cup into a political arena.
As the ICC steps in to cool tempers, one thing is clear: the India-Pakistan rivalry isn’t just alive, it’s more combustible than ever.
The world waits to see if cricket’s governing body can restore calm, or if the next chapter in this high-stakes drama is yet to unfold. All eyes now turn to the ICC, will it rise as a fair and neutral guardian of the game, or tilt the scales with subtle favouritism?
With Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh in Thursday’s Super Four clash, the stage is set for another high-voltage showdown with arch-rival India in the Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Stadium.
