New Delhi: The no-handshake row during the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 has escalated as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded ‘immediate removal’ of match referee Andy Pycroft from the tournament. A controversy erupted after the Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts following their 7-wicket victory in the group-stage clash between the two sides in Dubai on Sunday.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his batting partner Shivam Dube walked straight off the pitch after getting India over the line in the 128-run chase in the game. The Indian players avoided coming out of the dressing room as the Pakistani players headed back without the customary handshake between the two teams after the game.
Taking an exception, PCB launched a complaint with match referee Pycroft after the game on Sunday and have now demanded the removal of the ICC official himself. In a tweet, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi accused match referee Pycroft of violating the ICC Code of Conduct and the laws pertaining to the spirit of the game. It is worth noting that Naqvi is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which organises the Asia Cup.
“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 the immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi wrote on X.