PCB lodges complaint to ICC after India’s no-handshake act in Asia Cup 2025, demanding match referee Andy Pycroft’s removal over Code of Conduct breach. (Image Credit: NDTV Sports)
The India–Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match on Sunday has also led to off-field drama with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally registering a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against match referee Andy Pycroft for what it calls a violation of the ICC Code of Conduct.
PCB chief executive Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the board has lodged a formal complaint with the ICC, calling for Pycroft to be taken off the officiating list for the rest of the Asia Cup matches. The PCB states that Pycroft reportedly asked Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with India's Suryakumar Yadav during the toss – something they contend contravenes the MCC's Spirit of Cricket.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Naqvi stated, "The PCB has filed a complaint with the ICC against the breaches by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws covering the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has called for the Match Referee to be removed immediately from the Asia Cup."
India cricketers declined to shake hands with Pakistan's players before and after the match, with what was termed a "silent protest." The move is said to have been prompted by team management, with Gautam Gambhir, a senior Indian cricket personality, reportedly instructing players against participating in the traditional gesture.
Following a sealed seven-wicket victory, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates rushed directly to the dressing room, bypassing the customary post-match handshake. The episode allegedly infuriated Pakistan players and officials, with Agha also refusing to come out and give the usual TV interview to Sanjay Manjrekar.
Late-night statement by PCB labelled Pycroft's move as "against sportsmanship" and accused him of not being impartial. PCB also alleged that team manager Naveed Akram Cheema made a "formal protest" against the match referee.
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) sources indicated that Pycroft subsequently apologized to Pakistan's squad for not reminding them of the no-handshake tradition, which left them uncertain towards the end of the game.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson indicated that the incident marred the end of an already dismal game for the squad.
"We were prepared to shake hands at the conclusion of the game. We clearly are disappointed that our opposition did not do so," Hesson stated. "We went over there to shake hands and they already were in the changing room. That was a disappointing conclusion to the match."
So far, the ICC has made no public comment on PCB's complaint. The incident has again shown how politics between India and Pakistan can boil over onto the cricket pitch, making a high-voltage encounter into a diplomatic flashpoint.
With the Asia Cup still in progress, it is yet to be seen if the ICC will act on PCB's request for Pycroft's removal, or if the tournament will go on without any more drama.
