Asia Cup DRAMA: PCB Want Match Referee Removed Over ‘Handshake Gate’

The group stage clash of the Asia Cup 2025 between India and Pakistan on September 14 (Sunday) had one of the most underwhelming buildups to any India-Pakistan clash ever, and the match lived up to its lack of hype as India demolished Pakistan in a one-sided no-contest, chasing down 128 with 25 balls and seven wickets to spare. 

The absence of drama during the game, however, was compensated by what happened after the clash, as the Indian players refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players, leaving Pakistan hanging. 

India’s refusal to shake hands with the Pakistan players drew an instant reaction from the Men in Green as skipper Salman Ali Agha protested by refusing to attend the post-match presentation ceremony. 

Now, a day later, more drama continues to unfold as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have officially written to International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. 

In a social media post, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi wrote: “The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding the match referee’s violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC laws. The match referee took actions against the spirit of cricket. We have demanded the immediate removal of Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup.”

According to Geo Super, PCB, in its letter, claimed that the absence of a handshake was a violation of the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s laws.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB stated in its letter, according to Geo Super.

Meanwhile, according to a Cricbuzz report, Pakistan have not ruled out the option of boycotting their next game of Asia Cup 2025 against UAE, should ICC not meet their demands. 

“The PCB's primary grievance, apparently, is that Pycroft became a party to one side. Its contention is that as the match referee he could not have instructed the captains not to shake hands. Sources say the PCB has taken its protest to the extent of threatening a boycott of its next game, against the UAE, on September 17, if its demand for the removal of the Zimbabwean is not met,” Cricbuzz said in their report. 

Pakistan take on UAE in their next clash of Asia Cup 2025 on September 17 (Wednesday). Should UAE beat Oman today and Pakistan forfeit the UAE clash on Wednesday, that would mean curtains for the Men in Green in Asia Cup 2025, since UAE will have 4 points to their name.