ICC rejects Pak's demand to drop Asia Cup match referee over handshake row

The International Cricket Council has rejected Pakistan's demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the remainder of the Asia Cup. Sources told India Today that ICC was not going to entertain Pakistan's demands in the aftermath of the handshake controversy from the India-Pakistan group stage game.

The ICC has conveyed the decision to the PCB after investigating the matter. Sources in the know have also told India Today that some of the Asian Cricket Council officials, including the PCB director, were well aware in advance that there would be no handshake between the two captains.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board had lodged formal protests against the Indian players and match referee Pycroft. The PCB had stated in its letter that Pycroft suggested Pakistan captain Salman Agha to not shake hands with Suryakumar Yadav. It had stated that Indian players were in violation of Code of Conduct Rules after they refused to shake hands with the opposition team.

In the letter to ICC, PCB had clearly mentioned that if Andy Pycroft is not removed, they would withdraw their team from the tournament. Pakistan’s next match is tomorrow against the UAE.

Reports from Dubai also suggested that PCB suspended its Director of International Cricket Operations, Usman Wahla, following the national men's team's seven-wicket defeat to India in the 2025 Asia Cup. According to media reports in Pakistan, the Mohsin Naqvi-led board took disciplinary action against Wahla for 'failing to take timely action' over the handshake controversy that marred the high-profile encounter.

India vs Pakistan: What is the Handshake Controversy?

Pakistan's anger stems from the controversy surrounding India's handshake snub during the group-stage match. On Sunday, September 14, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav refused to greet his counterpart Salman Agha at the toss, which took place 30 minutes before the match.

At the end of the game, when Suryakumar and Shivam Dube chased the 128-run target down, the Indian team refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players and did not come out of their dressing room at the end of the final ball.

The lack of a gesture angered Salman Agha, who skipped the post-match presentation ceremony in protest.

While Suryakumar Yadav defended and explained the lack of handshake, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson expressed his disappointment at the incident.

The row soon escalated, with Pakistan lodging formal complaints against the Indian players and the referee. “Utterly disappointing to witness the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let’s hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace,” PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi wrote on X.

As things stand, Pakistan have two options ahead of their match against UAE on Wednesday, September 17. Either swallow their pride and stay alive in the tournament, or withdraw by sticking to their stance amidst the India-Pakistan standoff.

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