Asia Cup 2025: India vs Pakistan handshake controversy escalates into ICC-PCB row
The Pakistan Cricket Board has a throbbing nerve that shows no sign of calming down. Every action is met with a swift counter as the board continues to prolong the handshake controversy. What initially appeared as a bold stand by the Men in Blue against their arch-rivals after the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match has now escalated to new heights. India has long exited the scene, while the controversy churns on with the PCB, Andy Pycroft, and now the ICC in the mix. It was reported earlier today that the apex council reprimanded the Pakistan board for filming the meeting between its representative and the match referee. It did not take long for the PCB to respond and justify one of their many questionable actions.
Asia Cup 2025: PCB justifies its act after ICC reprimands the board for 'multiple violations'
The India vs Pakistan match at the Asia Cup 2025 unfolded as anticipated. The Men in Blue clinched an easy seven-wicket win in a one-sided clash in Dubai. However, the highlight of the encounter between the arch-rivals was anything but the on-field game. Set against the backdrop of the heinous Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, emotions ran high during the fixture. While Team India ensured there was no drama on the field, SKY and Co. made a strong and scathing statement silently.
The team refused to engage in the customary handshake with their opponents, rattling the entire Pakistan setup like never before. An enraged Pakistan first noticed Salman Ali Agha, the captain, not showing up for the post-match presentation. Since then, the handshake controversy has continued to grow murkier. After initially pointing fingers at India directly, the PCB quickly targeted the match referee Andy Pycroft. Accusing the official of showing biasness in the matter, the PCB demanded the removal of Pycroft from the tournament altogether.
The demand was backed by a threat to pull out of the Pakistan vs UAE group-stage match. Pakistan's drama continued right up to the start of the crucial fixture. The match was eventually delayed as the ICC arranged a meeting between Pakistan representatives and Andy Pycroft. Attended by Salman Ali Agha, Mike Hesson, Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB and ACC chairman, and Ramiz Raja, visuals of the meeting quickly went viral on the internet.
The PCB quickly spun a narrative, announcing that Pycroft had apologised for his conduct, which had led to Pakistan’s late arrival for the match against UAE. The team beat UAE and booked a spot in the Super 4s. However, the drama continues to simmer in the background. The ICC pulled up the PCB for multiple violations after the meeting with Pycroft. The apex council was particularly irked by several aspects, especially the footage of Pycroft’s meeting being filmed and circulated on social media.
ICC questioned the presence of PCB's media manager at the Players and Match Officials Area during the meeting. The ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta drafted a lengthy mail directed to PCB, reminding the board about several code of conducts they breached. Moreover, the ICC’s email took issue with a PCB press statement that suggested Pycroft had formally apologized for the incident. The international cricket body clarified that Pycroft had merely conveyed regret regarding a miscommunication involving the ACC venue manager, and had not extended the official apology claimed by the PCB.
However, the PCB has written back to the apex cricket council, justifying its act. In its response, the PCB explained that the team’s media manager, as an official member of the squad, was fully authorised to be present in the PMOA, and that his use of a camera did not violate any existing rules. The Board further emphasised that there are provisions allowing media managers to operate cameras in the PMOA under certain conditions. Additionally, the PCB questioned the ICC’s position, asserting that if any regulations had been breached, it was the ICC’s responsibility to confirm whether the match referee had reported the incident to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
"The team's media manager is part of the squad and has authorised access to the PMOA. His presence there is not a violation," a source has revealed PCB to be stating. "If the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was not followed, the ICC should check with the match referee on whether the matter was reported to the ACU," the information added.
