The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to pull out of the Asia Cup 2025 after a giant fight broke out after the match. The threat came when the PCB publicly called for the immediate firing of match referee Andy Pycroft, saying that he had not done anything after the Indian team had a “no-handshake” incident.
The argument started after India’s seven-wicket win against Pakistan in Group A on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. After the game, the Indian team, lead by Suryakumar Yadav, reportedly refused to shake hands with the other team, which made Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha and coach Mike Hesson very angry. Agha reportedly shunned the post-match presentation in protest, refusing to talk to former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar.
Later, Suryakumar Yadav revealed why the Indian team made the decision. He said that the triumph was dedicated to the Indian Armed Forces and that the handshake was avoided because “some things are beyond the sportsman spirit.”
The PCB’s official complaint is over the actions of match referee Pycroft, a high-ranking official from Zimbabwe, who they think should have stepped in. Pycroft is set to be the referee for Pakistan’s important upcoming game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pakistan has a lot at stake. If the ICC doesn’t fire Pycroft and the PCB goes through with its threat to not play in the match, it would be a huge blow to the squad. The UAE would get a walkover, which would give them two points right away.
Pakistan would only have two points from their solitary win over Oman, which means they couldn’t move on to the Super 4s. The UAE would get four points with the walkover, which would put them in the following round versus India. They had already beaten Oman. India has already qualified with four points after wins over the UAE and Pakistan.
If Pakistan plays the UAE, the game will be a direct shootout for the second Super 4s spot in Group A.
The PCB and its chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, will make the final choice. The cricket world is waiting to see if Pakistan will “walk the talk” and risk leaving the tournament early because of the principle of the matter.