ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against the match referee Andy Pycroft over ‘no handshake’ in the Pakistan-India Asia Cup clash.
In a statement on X, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, who is also the Chairman of the Asia Cricket Council (ACC), stated that the PCB has demanded the “immediate removal of the match referee” for the Pakistan vs India match in the Asia Cup 2025, being held in the UAE.
“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,” Naqvi stated.
In another tweet, Naqvi expressed utter disappointment at witnessing the lack of sportsmanship by Indian players.
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 an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup.
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 15, 2025
“Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let’s hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace,” he wrote.
India crushed Pakistan by seven wickets, easily chasing a 128-run target in the Asia Cup 2025 clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 128-run target, India comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of three wickets and 25 balls to spare.
Earlier in the match, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav, during the toss, refused to shake hands with his counterpart, Salman Ali Agha. According to the PCB, the match referee told Agha before the toss that “there would be no handshake.”
Similarly, after hitting the winning shot, Indian players and team officials refused to shake hands with their Pakistan counterparts.
In the post-match presentation, he said India took the match against Pakistan as just another game and dedicated the win to the Indian armed forces. “We stand with the victims of the families of the Pahalgam terror attack, and we express our solidarity,” Yadav added.
SKY, later in the post-match press conference, said that the move was in alignment with the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the government.
According to the sources, the PCB has also written a detailed letter to the Asia Cup tournament director, Andrew Russell, accusing the referee of breaching cricket’s rules and spirit.
The letter described the incident as a “serious violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC rules.” The board alleged that Pycroft’s actions were against the spirit of the game and damaged cricket’s integrity.
The Spirit of Cricket, as outlined in the ICC’s playing conditions, stresses respect for opponents, umpires, and the game itself.
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.
