Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, lodged a formal complaint with match referee Andy Pycroft after India refused to participate in the traditional post-match handshake following their seven-wicket win in the Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash at Dubai International Stadium. The incident has escalated tensions, drawing public and official scrutiny.
Contents
Details of the Handshake Controversy
- Nature of Incident: After India’s win, captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates exited the field without offering post-match handshakes to the Pakistani players, who waited near the Indian dressing room for the customary gesture.
- Pakistan’s Response: Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha and coach Mike Hesson approached India’s dressing room for the handshake, but reportedly the Indian management shut the door, making the gesture impossible.
- Official Complaint: Naveed Akram Cheema called India’s conduct “against the spirit of sports,” and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted a formal protest to match referee Andy Pycroft and the Asian Cricket Council.
- Match Referee’s Role: There was confusion as Pycroft reportedly asked both captains not to shake hands at the toss, citing heightened political tensions and security concerns, but no directive was issued for the post-match formalities.
Political and Security Context
- Pre-Match Tensions: The encounter was surrounded by boycott demands in India after the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent “Operation Sindoor,” which targeted militant camps across the border. Fans and officials linked the handshake refusal to solidarity with the victims and the Indian armed forces.
- Indian Team’s Stand: Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir were quoted as saying the gesture was intended as a show of support for the Pahalgam attack victims and Operation Sindoor, emphasizing that “some matters in life transcend sportsmanship”.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan Boycotting match against UAE
Fallout and Reactions
- PCB’s Demand: Following the complaint, PCB demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft as match referee from the remainder of Asia Cup 2025.
- Media Coverage: The incident has sparked widespread debate in cricket circles about sportsmanship and the intersection of politics and sport, with criticism from former cricketers and sport governing officials.
- Presentation Ceremony: Pakistan’s captain also skipped the official post-match presentation in protest.
BCCI finally opens up on PCB complaint to ACC
BCCI said they have not received any complaint from PCB. “BCCI has not received any official complaint from ACC regarding no handshake or closing the door incident,” the BCCI source told Times Now.
