Asia Cup 2025: Handshake row escalates, Pakistan threatens to boycott matches; Now what next?

After the match ended, the entire team including Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav returned to the dressing room without shaking hands with the Pakistani players. Not only this, the Indian camp also indicated by closing the door of their dressing room that they would not come out for a handshake.

New Delhi: After the high-profile match of Asia Cup 2025 played in Dubai on Sunday, 14 September, the "handshake controversy" between India and Pakistan has escalated so much that the matter has now reached the International Cricket Council (ICC). In this match, India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets, but the incident of not shaking hands between the players garnered more headlines than the match.

After the match ended, the entire team including Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav returned to the dressing room without shaking hands with the Pakistani players. Not only this, the Indian camp also indicated by closing the door of their dressing room that they would not come out for a handshake. On this, the Pakistani team management lodged a complaint with match referee Andy Pycroft.

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PCB Allegations Against Referee

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) alleges that the real controversy started even before the match. The board says that during the toss, referee Andy Pycroft had advised the captains of both the teams not to shake hands. Calling it "against the spirit of the game", PCB has sent a formal complaint against Pycroft to the ICC.

PCB has even warned that if Pycroft is not removed from the tournament, the Pakistani team will boycott all the matches in which he will be the referee.

Will Pakistan Play Next Match?

Pakistan next match is scheduled against UAE and Pycroft has been appointed as the referee in that match as well. In such a situation, if the ICC does not take any action, then Pakistan may sit out of this match. This can prove to be a big challenge for both the competition and schedule of the Asia Cup.

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Only Two Referees In Tournament

The Asia Cup 2025 may be played under the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), but since it has the status of international cricket, the ICC is appointing the match officials. Only two match referees have been appointed for the tournament, ​​Zimbabwe's Andy Pycroft and West Indies' Richie Richardson.

In this situation, if Pycroft is removed, then only one referee will be left for the entire tournament, which can have a serious impact on the event.

ICC Silence Continues

At present, the ICC has not responded to PCB's complaint. Nor has any official decision come out regarding Pycroft. Pakistan possible absence in a big tournament like the Asia Cup will not only increase the disappointment of cricket lovers, but it will also raise questions on the credibility of the event.