Pakistan are said to be gearing up to make a “political statement” if they beat India in their Asia Cup 2025 Super Four encounter on Sunday, as per a report by RevSportz. Although officially there has been no word from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), sources indicate that a symbolic move may be contemplated if Salman Ali Agha’s team manages to win in Dubai.
A Source, reporting the development, said the genuineness of this statement has not yet been confirmed independently. The move is likely to come amid increased tensions in the wake of the snubbing of the handshake during the last group-stage meeting.
Surprise Visit of PCB Chairman to Nets
On Saturday, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi made an unexpected visit to the Pakistan training session. His visit allegedly resulted in their net practice being called abruptly to a halt. Eyewitnesses claimed that Naqvi was seen engaging in an animated argument with head coach Mike Hesson, after which skipper Agha joined them.
The timing of the visit has raised speculation that Naqvi was mapping out strategies or galvanizing the team in preparation for the high-voltage showdown with India.
India’s No-Handshake Policy Stirs Controversy
The tension between both sides heightened after the group-stage match when India captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube left the field without shaking hands with the players from Pakistan following India’s seven-wicket victory.
The event left the Pakistan camp visibly agitated, with skipper Salman Ali Agha going to the extent of giving the post-match presentation ceremony a miss. The PCB subsequently filed an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against match referee Andy Pycroft, requesting his removal from the tournament.
ICC Rejects PCB Complaint
A Source indicated that Pakistan had their bid twice rejected by the ICC. Reports also asserted that Pakistan even threatened to boycott their match against UAE in protest. The match finally went ahead after a one-hour delay after Pycroft met with PCB officials.
Though the PCB asserted that Pycroft made an apology, a source made it clear that it was only an expression of regret rather than a formal one.
PCB Draws Backlash Over Leaked Video
Things were further complicated when a video of the Pycroft-PCB officials meeting was leaked on the internet. This attracted criticism from the PCB for violating ICC protocols, further exacerbating tensions between the board and the governing body.
Sunday’s match between India and Pakistan is set to be a fiery contest, with tensions running high on both sides. Whether or not Pakistan implement their purported “political message” is hard to say, but the match is already generating huge interest beyond merely cricketing ones.
