India has firmly denied Pakistan’s claim that match referee Andy Pycroft instructed both teams to skip the customary handshake before their Asia Cup 2025 match. The issue arose after Pakistan lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) alleging that Pycroft breached the spirit of the game by advising the captains not to shake hands during the toss.
India’s Stance on the ‘No Handshake’ Decision
Sources from the Indian team clarified to The Indian Express that no such instruction was given to India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, by the match referee. According to the Indian camp, the decision to forgo the handshake was a voluntary one, made in light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. The players decided to skip the gesture as a mark of solidarity with the victims and the military personnel involved in the operations.
Suryakumar Yadav, speaking at the post-match press conference, further explained the rationale behind the decision. “I feel a few things in life are ahead of sportsmen’s spirit also,” he said, emphasizing that there were greater concerns at play.
Pakistan’s Response and Further Complaints
Pakistan, however, disagreed with the Indian camp’s version of events. The PCB’s official complaint to the ICC alleged that Pycroft privately informed the captains about skipping the handshake during the toss, supposedly under the advice of the Indian board. The PCB cited Article 2.1.1 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which covers conduct that is “contrary to the spirit of the game.”
The PCB demanded the immediate removal of Pycroft from the Asia Cup, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi making a public statement on social media. Pakistan’s head coach, Mike Hesson, also expressed his disappointment over the lack of post-match interaction, stating that Pakistan’s players were ready to shake hands but found the Indian team had already left the field.
The Bigger Picture: Politics and Rivalry on Display
The India-Pakistan match was charged with political undertones, adding extra tension to the long-standing cricketing rivalry. Unlike previous instances where camaraderie between the teams was evident, such as Virat Kohli chatting with Babar Azam or Shaheen Afridi congratulating Jasprit Bumrah, this match saw minimal interaction between the players.
Despite the political tensions, the match drew a near-capacity crowd in Dubai, showing that the India-Pakistan rivalry still remains the major draw in the Asia Cup. With the possibility of more encounters between the two teams in the Super Four stage, this incident only highlights the growing significance of the rivalry.
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