The “no-handshake” event during the 2025 Asia Cup has caused a big change in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Media said that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has fired Usman Walha, the board’s Director of Cricket Operations, because of how he handled the scandal.
The event took place during the Group A match between India and Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai. Players from both teams did not shake hands before or after the game, as is usual. Later, the Pakistan team management told the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that match referee Andy Pycroft told both captains not to shake hands at the toss. Later, the PCB made an official complaint to the ICC, asking for Pycroft to be suspended and even threatening to pull Pakistan out of the tournament if he wasn’t replaced.
According to a media report, the whole thing may have been averted if Walha had properly explained the tournament’s rules and regulations to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. Sources say that Walha didn’t tell Agha about the “no-handshake” rules, which made the captain “unaware by the turn of events.”
Naqvi, who is also the head of the ACC, is said to have ordered Walha’s firing on Monday because of “the embarrassment caused to the national cricket team and its captain.” A PCB source told media, “Walha should have made a statement at the toss itself when the two captains didn’t shake hands.” It looks like Naqvi was really angry because he didn’t manage it well.
The argument has been going on for a while. The ICC officially turned down the PCB’s request to get rid of Pycroft. The Pakistan team management was supposed to talk about the problem at a press conference before their last group game against the UAE, but they canceled it instead.
Pakistan players were seen at their training field, even though they had threatened to pull out earlier. This suggests that they will continue to play. But it seems that the PCB is still looking for a way to keep Pycroft from officiating their games. There are reports that Richie Richardson may play in Wednesday’s game against the UAE.