ICC denies PCB appeal
What began as a symbolic decision not to shake hands at the toss between India and Pakistan escalated into a full-blown diplomatic standoff at the Asia Cup 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged multiple complaints against ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, accusing him of misconduct during and after the high-stakes India-Pakistan clash. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) responded with a strongly worded rejection, making clear that the PCB’s claims lacked merit.
According to news agency PTI, the ICC, in its written response to the PCB, emphasized the lack of supporting evidence in the complaint. “The ICC’s investigation was conducted on the basis of the information provided in the report lodged by the PCB. We took the report at face value and note that no supporting documentation or evidence was provided with it.” It also noted that “The PCB had every opportunity to submit statements from its team members alongside the initial report but chose not to do so.”
In its conclusion, the ICC determined there was ‘no case to answer’ regarding Pycroft’s conduct. The match official, the ICC argued, acted appropriately under time-sensitive instructions from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). “The actions that the match referee took, following clear directions from the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) Venue Manager, were consistent with how a match referee would deal with such an issue, communicated as it was with no time for him to do anything else (minutes before the toss).”
The ICC added that Pycroft was simply focused on “preserving the sanctity of the toss and avoiding any potential embarrassment that might have arisen,” and clarified that “the match referee was not at fault in any of this.” It further pointed out that “It is not the role of the match referee to regulate any team or tournament-specific protocols that have been agreed upon outside of the area of play. That is a matter for the tournament organizers and relevant team managers.”
As the ICC put it, the complaint seemed misdirected: “…the PCB’s real concern or complaint relates to the actual decision that handshakes didn’t take place. The PCB should therefore direct those complaints to the tournament organizers and those who made the actual decision (which was not the match referee). The ICC doesn’t have a role in that.”
Controversy delays match, fuels diplomatic tension
Tensions escalated to the point that the Pakistan team refused to leave its hotel ahead of their must-win match against the UAE in Dubai, pending final clarity on Pycroft’s status. The start time of the match was delayed by an hour.
Multiple backchannel communications took place, but the ICC refused to yield. In a widely reported development, Pycroft remained as match referee and even appeared on the field for the toss. Later that evening, Naqvi tweeted that the team had been given clearance to proceed to the venue.
Meanwhile, the PCB issued six separate emails across three days — September 15 to 17 — escalating its accusations. In the final email, the board shifted its complaint to suggest that Code of Conduct violations had occurred during and after the match, not just at the toss. The ICC requested further information but reportedly received none.
A well-placed source, as quoted by Times of India, denied PCB’s claim that Pycroft apologized, stating: “There was no question of any apology. Especially from someone who did no wrong.”
Ramiz Raja’s accusations
The controversy was further inflamed by former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, who at a joint press conference with Mohsin Naqvi and Najam Sethi, accused match referee Andy Pycroft of bias in favor of India. “Andy Pyrcroft is the favorite of Team India…. I think he is a permanent fixture for them. This blatant, one-sided, and it should not happen on a neutral platform,” Raja said,
Kapil Dev urges focus on cricket
Indian legend Kapil Dev, speaking to ANI, criticized the PCB for stirring unnecessary controversy. “There are all small things. One should focus on playing cricket. If someone does not want to shake hands, there is no need to make a big issue out of it for both sides. It is not right to give wrong statements, but some cricketers give statements that become controversial…Pakistan did not play good cricket; they need to work on it. It is one’s personal choice whether they want to shake hands or hug.”
He also expressed confidence in India’s Asia Cup campaign: “The Indian team has been playing very well for the past 20 years. The team performs exceptionally well in ICC tournaments. Our cricket is very organised…I am hopeful that Team India will win the Asia Cup 2025.”
Amit Mishra and Mohammad Yousuf exchange sharp words
Former India spinner Amit Mishra, speaking to ANI, strongly defended the Indian team’s conduct. “I strongly support Team India and the management’s decision to maintain a professional stance without displaying any gestures of friendship. By playing the match against Pakistan, they have shown respect for the spirit of the game.”
He added that “At the same time, by refraining from a handshake, they have sent a powerful message to the world — that India has not forgotten the Pahalgam attack. Dedicating this victory to the victims brings a moment of pride and emotional justice for every Indian.”
In response to derogatory remarks made by ex-Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf — including calling Suryakumar Yadav “Suarkumar” during a TV discussion — Mishra launched a scathing rebuttal: “This shows how uneducated they are. Despite being a Test cricketer, he is making such remarks. They just speak nonsense. They have done it in the past and will continue to do it. What else do they have left? They complained about the match referee. It was India’s decision not to shake hands. But India respected the sport. We should not listen to such people.”
Mishra continued: “I am with the Indian team. The entire nation is with the team. Irrespective of the level of cricket they play, they show their class. None of the Indian legends used such derogatory remarks. I won’t even consider them cricketers. This shows the difference in the thinking level of India and Pakistan.”
Yousuf later posted on X (formerly Twitter) in his defense: “I didn’t mean any disrespect to any sportsman who plays for his country with passion and grace, but why were the Indian media and people praising Irfan Pathan when he said that Shahid Khan Afridi was barking like a dog? Shouldn’t that have been rejected by everyone who talks about dignity and respect?”
Suryakumar’s tribute and PCB’s possible new complaint
Adding to the fire, the PCB is reportedly considering filing a complaint against India captain Suryakumar Yadav for dedicating the win over Pakistan to India’s armed forces. During the post-match presentation, Suryakumar said: “Just wanted to say something. Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all, and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile.”
Sources told NDTV that the PCB views the tribute as a political statement on a sporting stage — one they believe violates the spirit of the game. The ICC has reportedly given PCB until Sunday to lodge a formal complaint.
At the same press conference, Ramiz Raja also took particular issue with Suryakumar Yadav’s tribute to the Indian armed forces. “My biggest objection was what was said in the post-match presentation by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. That editorial was the critical point,” he said, aligning with the PCB’s view that the comments crossed a political line.
Irfan Pathan: “Everything runs in alignment”
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan, speaking to ANI, emphasized that such decisions are coordinated at multiple levels. “The cricketers, BCCI and the govt of India are aligned. Everything runs in the alignment of the situation and it is also an individual decision.”
He praised India’s focus despite the controversy: “Indian team is playing very well. All controversy is on one hand and the way the Indian team is moving ahead is on the other.”
What comes next for PCB and ICC
What started as a delayed handshake has evolved into one of the most politically charged off-field battles in recent Asia Cup history. But for the ICC, the matter appears settled: Pycroft acted within his role, the PCB’s complaints were unsupported, and the authority of match officials will not be compromised. As the cricketing world looks toward the next India-Pakistan clash, the onus is now on both teams to let the cricket speak louder than the controversy.
