🏏 PCB Yet to Decide on Asia Cup 2025 Participation Amid Handshake Row
🌍 Cricket in 2025: Beyond Boundaries and Into Politics
The Asia Cup 2025 was expected to be a celebration of cricket, with Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and emerging teams like UAE and Oman battling for supremacy. Yet, instead of being remembered for breathtaking sixes, thrilling chases, and match-winning spells, the tournament has already been hijacked by off-field controversies.
At the center of the storm lies the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is now reportedly considering withdrawing from the tournament amid the ongoing handshake row. The incident, which unfolded during the high-voltage Pakistan vs India Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai, has spiraled into a diplomatic, political, and cricketing standoff that may reshape the tournament’s trajectory.
🤝 The Handshake Controversy: What Sparked the Row?
In cricket, a handshake is more than just a formality — it symbolizes sportsmanship and respect. But during the India vs Pakistan match in Dubai, that tradition was abandoned.
- At the toss, Pakistani skipper Salman Ali Agha and India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) did not shake hands.
- After the match, Pakistan’s players lined up for the customary handshake, but the Indian players reportedly closed the dressing room doors instead.
- To make matters worse, Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation, leaving coach Mike Hesson to explain the situation.
The PCB saw this as more than a snub — they viewed it as a direct violation of the spirit of cricket. In their formal complaint, they accused match referee Andy Pycroft of failing to enforce cricket’s traditions and allegedly siding with Indian interests.
📝 PCB’s Official Complaint – What Was Said?
The PCB complaint letter to the ICC and MCC alleged that:
- “No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a violation of cricket’s spirit and traditions.”
- Andy Pycroft “failed to fulfill his duties as a match referee” under the ICC Code of Conduct.
- Tournament officials may have been acting “under pressure from the Indian board and government authorities.”
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), doubled down on this stance by posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding the match referee’s violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC laws. The referee acted against the spirit of cricket. We have demanded Andy Pycroft’s immediate removal from the Asia Cup.”
📜 ICC’s Position – Why PCB’s Demand Faces Rejection
According to Indian media reports, the ICC Operations and Legal Department has already rejected PCB’s demand. Their argument is simple:
- Pycroft was not acting on personal bias.
- He was merely relaying instructions from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who themselves were under pressure due to political sensitivities.
- Match officials are appointed by the ICC, and allowing boards to dictate replacements would undermine neutrality and authority.
If confirmed, this rejection could push the PCB toward a dramatic withdrawal from the Asia Cup 2025.
⚡ PCB’s Options – Stay or Walk Away?
The PCB now faces a difficult choice:
- Withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 – This would send a strong political message but could result in financial penalties, damaged relations with ICC, and loss of valuable match practice before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 (which India & Sri Lanka is scheduled to host).
- Continue Playing Under Protest – This would allow the team to focus on cricket while the board continues pursuing its case diplomatically.
- Negotiate via ACC – Since PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also heads the ACC, they might seek an internal solution by pushing for Pycroft’s replacement through regional channels rather than ICC.
🏟️ On-Field Fallout – Pakistan’s Struggles vs India
Lost in the noise of the handshake row is the fact that Pakistan was comprehensively beaten by India:
- Pakistan batted first and were restricted to 127-9.
- India chased down the target inside 16 overs, with Suryakumar Yadav sealing the match with a towering six.
- The loss exposed Pakistan’s batting fragility and bowling inconsistency, raising cricketing questions beyond politics.
But instead of addressing these on-field flaws, the PCB’s focus has shifted to match refereeing and sportsmanship debates, overshadowing cricketing realities.
🔎 Cricket Politics – A Historical Pattern
The Indo-Pak rivalry has always carried baggage beyond cricket:
- 1996 World Cup (Bengaluru): Pakistani fans alleged biased umpiring.
- 2019 World Cup (England): India’s approach against England was accused of indirectly hurting Pakistan’s qualification chances.
- Asia Cup 2023 (Hybrid Model): PCB and BCCI clashed over hosting rights, leading to matches being split between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The 2025 handshake controversy is the latest in a long line of disputes where cricket governance, politics, and diplomacy have collided.
📰 Media & Fan Reactions – A Divided World
🇵🇰 Pakistani Fans
- View the ICC’s rejection (if confirmed) as proof of institutional bias.
- Believe the ICC often bends rules to favor India due to its financial power in cricket.
- Support PCB’s stance of demanding Pycroft’s removal.
🇮🇳 Indian Fans
- Mock the PCB for using “handshake excuses” after a crushing defeat.
- Argue that India did nothing wrong, and sportsmanship cannot be enforced.
🌍 Neutral Fans
- Call the incident an overreaction.
- Stress that cricket should focus on performances, not post-match rituals.
Trending hashtags include:
#AsiaCup2025 #HandshakeRow #PCBvsICC #CricketPolitics #PakvsInd
⚖️ Neutrality in Cricket – Myth or Reality?
This controversy has triggered a serious question: Can cricket ever be free of political influence?
- Referees and Umpires: Always under scrutiny in high-voltage games.
- Boards and Governments: Their influence trickles down to organizers.
- Fans and Media: Already enter matches with expectations of bias.
Experts argue that transparency is the only solution. If the ACC had publicly explained why the no-handshake directive was issued, Pycroft wouldn’t have been targeted.
📊 Possible Consequences of PCB’s Withdrawal
If PCB decides to pull out of the Asia Cup 2025, consequences could include:
- Financial Losses: Broadcasters and sponsors could penalize PCB.
- ICC Sanctions: Withdrawal could trigger fines or future tournament restrictions.
- Team Morale: Players could lose focus ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
- Tournament Integrity: Asia Cup without Pakistan would lose global appeal and commercial value.
💡 Lessons for ICC & ACC
To prevent such controversies, cricket authorities must:
- Establish Clear Protocols: Sportsmanship rules should be documented before tournaments.
- Improve Transparency: Clearly state whether instructions come from referees or organizers.
- Separate Politics from Sport: Boards should resist dragging match officials into political disputes.
- Strengthen Governance: ICC must maintain authority but also ensure boards feel heard.
🧐 Cricketory Insight & Analysis
At Cricketory, we believe the handshake row is a symptom, not the disease. The real issue lies in the fragile trust between PCB, ICC, and ACC.
Pakistan feels marginalized in cricket governance, while India’s financial clout overshadows decision-making. The Pycroft saga only amplified these insecurities. If not handled carefully, such disputes could weaken not just the Asia Cup 2025 but also the global cricket ecosystem.
Our analysis is clear: PCB must focus on cricket first. Withdrawing would hurt their own players and fans more than it would damage ICC or India. A smarter move would be to stay, compete, and let performances on the field speak louder than politics.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the PCB’s main demand in the Asia Cup 2025 handshake row?
A: The PCB has demanded the immediate removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, accusing him of failing to enforce cricket’s traditions and siding with Indian interests.Q2: Did the ICC accept PCB’s request to remove the match referee?
A: No, reports suggest that the ICC rejected PCB’s request, clarifying that Pycroft was simply relaying instructions from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).Q3: Why didn’t Indian and Pakistani players shake hands after the match?
A: According to PCB, Indian players closed their dressing room doors, skipping the post-match handshake. The ICC claims it was due to political sensitivities.Q4: What could happen if PCB withdraws from the Asia Cup 2025?
A: Withdrawal could result in financial penalties, ICC sanctions, loss of match practice before the Champions Trophy 2025, and reduced global appeal of the tournament.
Q5: How are fans reacting to the handshake controversy?
A: Pakistani fans view it as ICC bias, Indian fans dismiss it as excuses after defeat, and neutral fans see it as overreaction that overshadows cricket itself.✅ Conclusion – The Game Must Go On
The Asia Cup 2025 handshake row has transformed into a defining moment for cricket politics. While the PCB considers withdrawal, the ICC stands firm on its authority, and fans remain divided.
At the end of the day, cricket thrives on rivalries like Pakistan vs India — but those rivalries must be settled with bat and ball, not letters and complaints.
The world will be watching closely in the coming days: Will PCB walk away, or will they fight on the field?