Pakistan cricket is once again in crisis mode. The Asia Cup has turned into a battleground off the field after India refused to shake hands with Pakistan players following their recent clash. Now, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hinted at a possible Asia Cup boycott.
Handshake Snub Sparks Controversy
The controversy began after India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the T20 Asia Cup Group A match. At the end of the game, Pakistan lined up for the traditional handshake. To their surprise, the Indian players walked away.
Pakistan believed it had reason to feel disrespected. According to them, match referee Andy Pycroft had earlier told both captains—Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha—not to shake hands at the toss. Still, Pakistan expected the post-match tradition to continue.
In protest, Pakistan refused to send Salman Agha for the post-match presentation. Only Shaheen Shah Afridi, who hit four sixes, collected his award.
PCB Escalates the Fight
The PCB wasted no time. They sent out a statement to journalists claiming Pycroft had asked captains not to shake hands. Soon after, they filed a formal complaint with the ICC.
“The PCB has complained to the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws about the Spirit of Cricket,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi tweeted. “The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup.”
The ICC, however, stayed silent. The governing body rarely steps into such disputes. For Pakistan, this silence is as frustrating as the handshake snub.
PCB’s Mixed Signals
Pakistan cricket now faces an internal storm. Reports say PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi suspended Usman Wahla, the Director of International Cricket, over how the incident was handled.
At the same time, PCB also cancelled a pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of their game against the UAE. Many believe the decision was made to avoid uncomfortable questions about a boycott.
In a late-night WhatsApp message to journalists, PCB spokesperson Aamir Mir said: “Consultations are underway in this regard and a final decision will be taken by tomorrow (Wednesday). The decision will be taken keeping in mind the interest of Pakistan.” This suggests that a boycott is still possible.
A Reminder of Past Flashpoints
The incident draws comparisons to India’s own standoff in 2001. Back then, BCCI played a Test without ICC-approved referee Mike Denness after he banned several Indian players. The ICC did not recognize the match. That episode showed how cricket politics can spiral out of control.
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What’s Next?
Pakistan now prepares to face the UAE. If they win, they will likely face India again on Sunday. The cricket world waits to see if Pakistan takes the extreme step of pulling out of the tournament.
Fans Left Disappointed
In the dispute between the PCB and ICC, the fans stand to lose the most. Cricket, not politics, should be the focus of the Asia Cup. Instead, fans claim that protests, press releases, and threats are overpowering the play on the field. There is concern that politics could once again deprive cricket fans of pure cricket drama as another India-Pakistan match is inevitable.
