The ongoing Asia Cup 2025 is marred by controversy, all thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the “no-handshake saga” that unfolded during Pakistan’s Group A match against India on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had sent six emails to the International Cricket Council (ICC), had countless calls, and had fiery exchanges, but nothing went in their favor. Now, they have to prove their fresh allegations in front of the ICC with valid proof to prove their point.
Six emails, fiery calls, a delayed match, and empty hands: PCB's story till now
PCB’s stance over the controversy has almost left their final Asia Cup 2025 group match against the UAE cancelled before it even began. On the day of the game, players were left stranded as PCB stopped the team bus from leaving for the stadium at the very last minute.
According to a Times of India report, the Pakistan Cricket Board did not allow the team to leave for the match venue, leading to hours of heated backroom discussion, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had to struggle hard to resolve the issue.
As a result, the group match between Pakistan and the UAE that was supposed to begin at 6:30 pm local time finally started an hour late on September 17.
Notably, Pakistan crushed the UAE by 41 runs to kick them out of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 and secured their place in the Super Fours.
Interestingly, the same ICC match referee, Andy Pycroft, stood on the field when Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and UAE captain Muhammad Waseem eventually walked out for the toss.
Over the last four days, Andy Pycroft’s name has been trending everywhere, thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board's explosive demand to have him removed from their games.
PCB demands Andy Pycroft’s removal, ICC refuses to bow
The drama began after the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash on September 14. PCB sent the first email to ICC a day later of India’s seven-wicket victory, claiming that Pycroft had failed to enforce the Code of Conduct at the toss, as the two captains didn’t shake hands.
ICC reviewed the matter quickly and backed Pycroft by saying that the match referee acted according to the Asian Cricket Council’s instructions, which were ironically issued by none other than ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
The International Cricket Council even pointed out that Pycroft had managed the situation well and avoided any awkward moments on live television. But the PCB wasn’t satisfied. They sent another email and demanded Pycroft’s removal, even threatening to withdraw from the Asia Cup if their demand was ignored.
The ICC stood firm and made it clear that they could not change referees just because one team wanted it that way, and it would set a dangerous example for the future. Even when ACC threw its weight behind the Pakistan Cricket Board, ICC refused to accept their demand.
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PCB’s claims fall flat in Asia Cup 2025 drama
By September 16, ICC considered the matter closed. But the Pakistan Cricket Board was not done yet.
On September 17, they fired off another email; they alleged more violations had taken place during and after the India-Pakistan match and once again questioned Pycroft’s role.
ICC immediately asked for more details, but is still waiting for a proper response. In the middle of this storm, Pycroft himself invited Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, and head coach Mike Hesson to his room at the Dubai International Stadium.
Pycroft reportedly explained that any misunderstanding was purely a case of miscommunication. A muted video of this meeting is going viral on social media, with PCB calling it an “apology.”
But ICC insiders claimed that it was not an apology at all; rather, it was only clarification, since Pycroft had done nothing wrong.
Despite six emails, countless calls, and fiery exchanges, Pycroft still officiated the game and remains on duty for the rest of the tournament.
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