Lahore/Dubai, September 16, 2025: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce its decision on whether it will continue in the ongoing Asia Cup within the next few hours, insiders told reporters on Tuesday.
At the heart of the standoff is Pakistan’s demand for the replacement of match referee Andy Pycroft, following a controversial fallout after Sunday’s high-profile India-Pakistan clash in Dubai. Team management in Dubai, however, has yet to receive any official communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the matter.
According to sources, if the ICC rejects Pakistan’s request, the team could withdraw from the tournament altogether. Indian media outlets have reported that the ICC has already dismissed PCB’s complaint, insisting that Pycroft was not involved in the post-match handshake controversy. Neither the ICC nor the PCB has issued a public statement so far.
The row erupted after India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan, when Indian players walked straight off the field without engaging in the customary post-match handshake. Pakistani players were left waiting as India’s squad closed their dressing room doors. Earlier, there had been no handshake at the toss, while Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha also skipped the post-match presentation — a move head coach Mike Hesson later linked to the snub.
“We were disappointed that our opposition didn’t shake hands. We went over there, but they were already heading to the dressing room,” Hesson said, adding that Salman’s absence was “a flow-on effect” of the incident.
The PCB subsequently filed a complaint with both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), accusing Pycroft of failing to uphold cricket’s spirit and violating the ICC Code of Conduct. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi doubled down on the stance, declaring on social media that Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup was non-negotiable.
The board also alleged that tournament officials were operating under instructions linked to the Indian board and “ultimately the Indian government.” PCB’s media manager Naveed Akram Cheema raised the issue with Tournament Director Andrew Russell, who initially pointed to the BCCI before later suggesting the orders came from government authorities.
The controversy has left the tournament in limbo, with Pakistan’s next move eagerly awaited by both fans and officials.
