The post-match optics in the clash of India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025 has erupted in a controversy with a spillover effect. It can be said that the political tensions between the Asian neighbors, prompted the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, to refuse to engage in a traditional handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts, who were visibly waiting for the ceremony to occur as the Indian team members headed straight to their dressing room after the match. Even at the toss, both captains Suryakumar and Salman Ali Agha decided against the customary handshake, reportedly at the behest of match referee Andy Pycroft.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken decisive action amid the escalating controversy from the Asia Cup 2025 match
against India, suspending its Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla. The move, reported by ASports, stems from the board's dissatisfaction with Wahla's handling of the incident, including his alleged failure to promptly lodge a formal complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft.
PCB officials, reportedly speaking anonymously to Al Jazeera, revealed that Pycroft had explicitly instructed the captains not to shake hands during the toss, citing security and protocol concerns amid the bilateral freeze. In retaliation, Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony, a decision backed by head coach Mike Hesson, who called the Indian team's actions "inappropriate" and a breach of the spirit of the game.
PCB has reportedly lodged a formal complaint with the ICC
As the tournament progresses in the UAE, this internal shake-up underscores the deepening rift between the cricketing giants, blending sportsmanship debates with geopolitical undercurrents. Reports claim that the PCB lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday, accusing Andy Pycroft of violating the ICC Code of Conduct and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws on the Spirit of Cricket. It is also said that the board demanded his immediate removal from the Asia Cup, arguing that his instructions politicized the event and undermined cricket's unifying ethos. PCB Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who also lamented the incident on X as “utterly disappointing” and a case of “dragging politics into the game”, escalated the matter by suspending Wahla.
As the Asia Cup advances, India next faces Oman on September 19, 2025, and Pakistan takes on UAE on September 17, 2025; the PCB's actions could have broader implications. The ACC, under Naqvi's dual role, is reviewing the complaint, potentially leading to disciplinary measures against India or Pycroft. In the Group A clash on September 14, 2025, at Dubai International Stadium India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets Pakistan, batting first after winning the toss under captain Salman Ali Agha, managed only 127. Indian team riding on confident strokeplay by Abhishek Sharma (31 off 13 balls), Tilak Varma (31 off 31 balls) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (47* off 37 deliveries) chased the target in just 15.5 overs.
