"The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup," PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, wrote on X
Mohsin Naqvi (Pic: File Pic)
The high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan ended not only in a resounding win for the Men in Blue but also in a controversy that has gripped the cricketing world.
Pakistan suffered a humiliating seven-wicket loss at the hands of a dominant Indian side, led by stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav, at the Dubai International Stadium. However, it was the events following the match that stole headlines. Indian players notably refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the game.
As a result, an agitated Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now formally demanded the immediate removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the remainder of the Asia Cup 2025. The PCB further accused Pycroft of violating the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Code of Conduct during the match, although specific details of the alleged breach were not disclosed in the initial statement.
"The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup," PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, wrote on X.
Earlier, the PCB released a statement in which they had labelled Team India's act as 'unsporting'. "Team manager Naveed Cheema lodged a strong protest against Indian players' behaviour of not shaking hands. It was deemed as unsporting and against the sport of the game. As a protest we did not send our captain to the post match ceremony," read PCB's statement.
Neither the ICC nor the Asia Cup organising committee has yet issued an official response to the PCB’s demands.
The match went ahead despite widespread calls for a boycott following the unfortunate terror attack in April in Pahalgam. In response to the incident, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' and reportedly succeeded in destroying terrorist bases across the border in May.
Even before the match began, tensions were evident. There were no handshakes exchanged between the two captains during the toss, with neither captain having made eye contact.
During the match, Pakistan batted first and managed to post a total of 127 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 40 runs off 44 balls, including one boundary and three sixes. Later, Shaheen Shah Afridi provided some late fireworks, playing an unbeaten knock of 33 runs off just 16 deliveries, which included four sixes.
In reply, the Men in Blue comfortably chased down the target, scoring 131 for 3 in 15.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma gave India a blazing start, hammering 31 runs off just 13 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. Later, Suryakumar anchored the chase with a composed, unbeaten 47 off 37 balls, featuring five fours and one six.
(With PTI Inputs)
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