Asia Cup 2025: PCB Suspends Senior Official Amid Handshake Row

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken strong action in the wake of the controversial handshake incident following the Asia Cup 2025 clash against India. Usman Wahla, the PCB’s Director of International Cricket, has been suspended after the board expressed dissatisfaction with the way the matter was handled. The controversy erupted when Indian players reportedly refused to shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and his team after the game.

According to PCB’s account, match referee Andy Pycroft allegedly instructed the Pakistani captain not to engage in handshakes with certain Indian players, notably Suryakumar Yadav.

The incident quickly spiraled into a larger debate, drawing attention to the strained sporting relations between the two countries. Pakistan’s cricket board viewed the development as not only disrespectful but also damaging to the spirit of cricket. They considered Wahla’s delayed response and inability to address the issue with urgency as a serious lapse, ultimately resulting in his removal from duties.

Formal Complaint Lodged Against Match Referee

Alongside suspending Wahla, the PCB has filed an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The board accused the match referee of violating the ICC Code of Conduct and the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) Laws regarding the “Spirit of Cricket.” PCB officials believe Pycroft’s role in the controversy directly undermined the values of sportsmanship that the game upholds.

In their complaint, the PCB has demanded the immediate removal of Pycroft from officiating in the ongoing Asia Cup. The board emphasized that the decision taken by the referee to restrict handshakes was unjustified and has left a negative impact on international cricketing relations.

They also highlighted that Wahla’s failure to promptly escalate the matter worsened the situation, which is why swift disciplinary measures were deemed necessary.

Political and Sporting Tensions Add to Fallout

The controversy has not occurred in isolation but against the backdrop of heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan. The PCB pointed to recent conflicts, including a terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam region earlier this year, as part of the underlying strain that has seeped into the sporting arena.

Cricketing ties between the two nations have long been fragile, with limited bilateral engagements and frequent off-field disputes overshadowing on-field contests.

For Pakistan, the handshake issue has become symbolic of the challenges they face in maintaining cordial relations with India in international cricket. By taking disciplinary action and pressing charges at the ICC level, the PCB is signaling its unwillingness to let such incidents pass unchallenged.

Whether the ICC will take action against the referee remains to be seen, but the matter has once again highlighted how cricket between India and Pakistan often transcends sport, becoming entangled in broader political and diplomatic narratives.