Pakistan’s campaign in the Asia Cup almost came to a dramatic halt after the cricket board threatened to boycott their next fixture, but a quick apology from the match referee defused the tension and brought the team back on the field.
The controversy erupted after Pakistan’s fiery clash with India on September 14. Fans and officials alike noticed something unusual—no handshake between the captains at the toss, and no traditional show of respect once the match ended. That silence stung even more when Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav dedicated his team’s win to the country’s armed forces, a gesture that didn’t sit well given the political undertones between the two nations.
PCB’s Strong Reaction
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged an official protest with the ICC, accusing match referee Andy Pycroft of mishandling the situation and effectively allowing an unsportsmanlike breach of cricket’s spirit. In a rare move, PCB went as far as to demand Pycroft’s removal from further tournament duties.
According to board officials, Pakistan’s players initially refused to leave their hotel for the September 17 fixture against UAE, threatening a no-show unless the matter was addressed.
Referee Apologizes
Tensions cooled only after Pycroft personally apologized to captain Salman Ali Agha and team manager Mansoor Rana. The PCB described the incident as a “miscommunication” but maintained that the referee’s actions had undermined fair play.
The ICC, meanwhile, has said it will review whether any breaches of its Code of Conduct occurred, though reports suggest Pycroft hasn’t been found guilty of wrongdoing at this stage.
Back on the Pitch
Once the dust settled, Pakistan finally took the field—an hour later than scheduled—and let their cricket do the talking. Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a brisk half-century, while Shaheen Afridi added late fireworks. Pakistan bundled UAE out for just 105, sealing a 41-run victory and booking their place in the Super Four stage.
Bigger Picture
This episode highlighted more than just a spat over handshakes. It exposed how fragile cricket’s sporting traditions can be when layered with political rivalry and mistrust. For Pakistan, the threat of pulling out underscored their frustrations with governance and neutrality at international tournaments.
What comes next depends on the ICC’s inquiry, but one thing’s clear: cricket’s spirit—symbolized by a simple handshake—carries more weight than many realize.
