Following India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, a handshake incident has sparked internal disputes and political maneuvering. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft as match referee, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) is unlikely to comply. Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, formally wrote to the ICC, alleging Pycroft violated the code of conduct by supposedly instructing India’s captain to avoid handshakes. However, ICC officials are reportedly unconvinced that there is sufficient evidence to justify Pycroft’s removal. The consensus among ICC insiders is that Pycroft had a minimal role, if any, in the handshake refusal. No official ICC statement has been issued, but sources suggest the ICC will likely not set a precedent by replacing a match official based on one member’s complaint, especially without evidence of serious misconduct. The PCB’s complaint centers on the belief that refusing a handshake constitutes a breach of sportsmanship. However, ICC and MCC rules do not mandate handshakes before or after matches, and the ICC is expected to emphasize that such gestures are ceremonial, not compulsory. Adding to the controversy, the PCB has suspended Usman Wahla, Director of International Cricket Operations, for failing to address the issue proactively. The PCB has also threatened to boycott its upcoming match against the UAE on September 17 if the ICC does not meet its demands.
