LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday lodged a complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC) against match referee Andy Pycroft for ‘no handshake’ during the Pakistan-India Asia Cup encounter.
In a statement on X, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of the Asia Cricket Council (ACC), said that the PCB has asked for the “immediate removal of the match referee” for the Pakistan vs India match in the Asia Cup 2025, hosted in the UAE.
The PCB has filed a complaint with the ICC on behalf of breaches by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws of the Spirit of Cricket,” Naqvi said.
In another post, Naqvi was in complete dismay at seeing the absence of sportsmanship from Indian players.
India routed Pakistan by seven wickets with ease, comfortably chasing a 128-run target in the Asia Cup 2025 encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a humble 128-run target, India comfortably hit the winning runs at the cost of three wickets and 25 balls in hand.
Earlier during the match, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, while tossing, declined to shake hands with his opposite number, Salman Ali Agha. The PCB stated that the match referee informed Agha before the toss that “there would be no handshake.”
Likewise, while celebrating the winning shot, Indian players and officials declined to shake hands with the Pakistanis.
In the post-match ceremony, he stated that India played against Pakistan as any other game and offered the victory to the Indian military. “We stand with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, and we express our solidarity,” Yadav added.
SKY, in the post-match press conference, stated that the action was in line with the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the government.
Sources stated that the PCB has also penned a detailed letter to the Asia Cup tournament director, Andrew Russell, blaming the referee for violating cricket’s rules and spirit.
The letter termed the incident a “serious breach of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC regulations.” The board stated that Pycroft had acted contrary to the spirit of the game and tarnished the integrity of cricket.
Spirit of Cricket, as defined in the ICC playing conditions, emphasizes respect for the game, the umpires, and the opponents.
Similarly, as per the ICC code of conduct, teams are expected to display mutual respect, including congratulating the opposition and handshakes at the conclusion of a match.
