PCB restores Usman Wahla to his role
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reinstated Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla following his suspension linked to the controversial “handshake” incident at last month’s Asia Cup in Dubai. According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, Wahla was present at a departmental heads’ meeting in Lahore this week to plan the upcoming series against South Africa, signaling his return to official duties.
How the Asia Cup handshake row unfolded
The episode began during the highly charged Pakistan–India clash on September 14 in Dubai. Match referee Andy Pycroft reportedly instructed both captains to skip the traditional handshake at the toss. Tensions escalated further when India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav led his players straight to the dressing room after a seven-wicket victory, leaving Pakistan’s cricketers waiting on the field for a post-match handshake that never came.
The Pakistani side expressed its displeasure, later boycotting the closing ceremony. Team captain Salman Ali Agha declined an interview with the Indian presenter, while Shaheen Shah Afridi reluctantly accepted the “Most Sixes Award,” reportedly on the advice of team officials including Wahla.
PCB’s response to the controversy
The PCB reacted by filing formal complaints with both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The board argued that Pycroft’s directive breached both the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC laws, and it called for his removal. Pycroft subsequently apologized to Pakistan’s players for preventing the pre-toss handshake.
Despite the complaint, the board internally expressed frustration with the delayed filing of the protest, a lapse attributed to Wahla. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi suspended him soon after the tournament but has since reversed the decision. No action was taken against team manager Naveed Akram Cheema.
Wider fallout from the Asia Cup
The handshake controversy was one of several flashpoints in the Asia Cup. India went on to defeat Pakistan in the final, but the post-match presentation sparked further discord. Indian players did not accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and PCB Chairman Naqvi, leaving the silverware in Dubai with ACC officials.
The matter resurfaced at a subsequent ACC meeting, where BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla reportedly insisted that the trophy be sent directly to India. Naqvi rejected the proposal, stating that the captain must personally collect it from the ACC headquarters.
The fallout also exposed deeper divisions within the ACC, with Pakistan and Bangladesh reportedly aligned on one side, India and Sri Lanka on the other, and Afghanistan seen as shifting between camps. Naqvi’s role was said to have become a particular point of contention, with reports of a possible no-confidence move against him.
What this means for the PCB
Wahla’s reinstatement highlights the PCB’s shifting approach as it seeks stability ahead of a crucial season. The board is balancing internal management challenges with heightened tensions in regional cricket governance. With the South Africa series approaching, his return suggests the PCB is prioritizing continuity and experience despite earlier frustrations.
