PCB threatens Asia Cup pullout over handshake row

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup. In a letter written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the board warned it would reconsider continuing in the tournament if Pycroft is not removed.

According to sources, the PCB in its letter accused Pycroft of neglecting the game spirit in Sunday’s clash between Pakistan and India in Dubai. The board said it had repeatedly stressed the importance of protecting the spirit of the game, but the referee neglected his duties. It further alleged that Pycroft violated the ICC Code of Conduct and acted against the MCC laws, calling his behaviour a ‘serious breach’ of sports rules.

The controversy began after Indian players refused handshake with their Pakistani counterparts following the match. Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson strongly criticised the conduct, describing it as ‘against the spirit of the game’.

Read More: India’s refusal to shake hands with Pak sparks outrage

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav fueled tensions further with political remarks after the win. “We stand with the victims of the Pahalgam attack and their families. We dedicate today’s win to our armed forces,” Yadav said.

Reacting to the incident, Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema lodged a formal protest, terming India’s behaviour ‘a violation of sportsmanship’. He also revealed that the match referee had advised the captains not to shake hands at the toss, but gave no such instruction for after the game.

As a mark of protest, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony. Coach Hesson defended the decision, saying: “What the Indian team did was inappropriate. Pakistan’s response was natural.”

The PCB has now escalated its stance, insisting Pycroft must be removed from the Asia Cup or it will not play further matches. 

Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has also taken notice of the controversy and considering possible disciplinary action against the Indian team.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has vowed to respond firmly to India’s alleged attempts to politicise the game, saying the “gentleman’s game must not be undermined”.

According to sources, Naqvi made the remarks during consultations at PCB headquarters in Gaddafi Stadium over disputes arising during the Asia Cup between Pakistan and India. He reportedly told officials, “India has tried to give cricket a political colour, causing damage to the game spirit, which cannot be tolerated.”

Also Read: PCB chief suspends Usman Wahla 

Naqvi also ordered strict action against Director of Operations Usman Wahla for what he described as a failure to provide a timely response to the ICC. 

Wahla was immediately suspended, and a formal inquiry was initiated with instructions for a detailed report. “The future of Usman Wahla will be decided in light of this report,” sources said.

The PCB chairman stressed there would be no compromise on the issue. “We will raise our voice at every forum, including the ICC,” he said, while instructing officials to pursue the matter aggressively at the international level.

India beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup on Sunday as the neighbours met for the first time since a military conflict between them in May, but tensions simmered after the match as India's players left the field without shaking hands.

The incident has sparked outrage in Pakistan, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodging a formal protest and captain Salman Ali Agha boycotting his post-match media duties.

Pakistan’s players lined up for the customary post-match handshakes, only to see India head straight to their dressing room.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson expressed disappointment after Indian players declined to shake hands at the conclusion of their match, saying the gesture is a basic part of sportsmanship.

“We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game, but our opposition did not do that,” Hesson told reporters. “We sort of went over there to shake hands, and they had already gone into the changing room.”

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav later confirmed the move was intentional. “We took this call before the game, in alignment with the BCCI and the government. A few things in life are above sportsmanship,” he said.