The handshake controversy from the India-Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2025 has gone even further, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) escalated the dispute frenzy to another level. Having filed a complaint against the Indian team, PCB has now turned their guns on ICC match referee Andy Pycroft and demanded that the Zimbabwean be removed forthwith from the panel of match referees for the Asia Cup.
PCB Escalates Complaint Against Pycroft
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, addressed the issue via social media on Monday, September 15:
"The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup."
The PCB’s core grievance is that Pycroft, in defending his position, asked the captains not to shake hands after the game, which apparently, in his mind, was siding with one of the teams. According to reports, the PCB’s letter to the ICC talks of the possible sanctions of Pakistan’s next game scheduled for September 17 against the UAE, if Pycroft is still in charge. Although this has not been verified independently, it underlines the gravity of the board’s position.
Background of the Controversy
The tension arose after India’s players, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, refrained from shaking hands with Pakistan following their seven-wicket loss at Dubai International Stadium on September 14. Pakistan team manager Naveed Cheema lodged a formal protest that evening, describing India’s conduct as “unsporting” and announcing that Pakistan’s captain would skip the post-match ceremony in response.
Pycroft, 69, has been at the center of the controversy for allegedly not acting on Pakistan’s initial complaint and for instructing the captains on the handshake protocol. Cricbuzz has reached out to both the ICC and PCB for official comments.
Andy Pycroft’s Experience and ICC Panel
Pycroft is one of the most experienced match referees in international cricket, having been a member of the ICC Elite Panel since 2009. For the Asia Cup, the ICC had also nominated West Indian Richie Richardson. The current Elite Panel includes India’s Javagal Srinath, New Zealand’s Jeff Crowe, and Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle, alongside Pycroft.
Ongoing Fallout
The Asia Cup 2025 handshake controversy has thrown into the spotlight how conflicts away from the pitch can bounce in cricket's major derby matches. The ICC's reaction to the PCB's requests is being closely followed by all those involved in cricket to see whether the feud will end or if it will still all be there when the tournament will advance.