As cricket’s Asia Cup 2025 heads into its decisive stage, all eyes are on the high-voltage India–Pakistan encounter scheduled for Sept 21.
Yet, the build-up has been overshadowed by Pakistan’s escalating protest over the “handshake row” from their earlier defeat by India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fired off multiple letters to the International Cricket Council (ICC), demanding that match referee Andy Pycroft be replaced with Richie Richardson.
They allege Pycroft mishandled the situation when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates declined to shake hands with Pakistani players following their group game on Sept 14 which India won by seven wickets.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha even boycotted the post-match presentation in protest.
Suryakumar explained that the no-handshake gesture was a symbolic stand in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 in which 26 civilians were killed. Pakistan, however, called the act “unsporting” and accused Pycroft of siding with India.
Despite the PCB’s protests, the ICC has refused to remove Pycroft, who is set to officiate again in Pakistan’s upcoming matches, including the India clash on Sunday.
“Handshakes are a convention, not a law,” ICC sources noted, stressing that elevating the matter risks damaging the “spirit of the game”.
The PCB’s threat to boycott matches highlights the high financial stakes. Reports suggest Pakistan stands to lose up to US$16 million in revenue if it withdraws, a major blow given its role as host board under Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is Pakistan’s interior minister.
The Sept 21 showdown is more than just a Super Four fixture: it will likely decide who goes on to play in the final.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are the other two teams in the Super Four, and the top two teams after the round-robin format will play in the final.
India is riding high after a commanding win against Afghanistan, while Pakistan have looked unsettled amid the off-field distractions.
Former cricketers have criticised the PCB’s theatrics. Murali Kartik remarked: “Even kids in kindergarten don’t behave like this. Why hold a whole tournament hostage over a handshake?”
As the world waits for India v Pakistan on Sunday, the question remains: will cricket take centre stage, or will the storm off the field continue to overshadow the battle between bat and ball?
