The handshake controversy between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 is still in the news. Team India, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, refused the customary handshake after both matches against Pakistan. Following the group stage match, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a formal complaint with the ICC, demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft. However, the ICC rejected this demand. Now, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his displeasure over the entire matter and criticized Pakistan.
"Ignoring the Protest"
Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar, "The PCB's complaint is incomprehensible, as nowhere in the rules states that handshakes are mandatory. There have been instances in various sports where teams have not shaken hands after matches. If a complaint was indeed lodged, the ICC was right in ignoring the protest."
Questions about avoiding the press conference
Gavaskar questioned not only the handshake controversy but also Pakistan's refusal to attend the mandatory media interaction. He wrote, "What should be noted is Pakistan's avoidance of the mandatory pre-match press conference. They weren't supposed to send the captain, players, or coach, but anyone from their key support staff could have spoken to the media. However, that didn't happen. It will be interesting to see if any action is taken for this violation."
Displeasure over the delayed start of the match
Gavaskar also strongly reacted to Pakistan's one-hour delay in starting the match against the UAE. He wrote, "The most unfair thing was delaying the match for an hour. If the PCB had any complaints with the match referee, they had two full days after losing to India and could have raised the issue then, but they held the entire match hostage by not coming to the ground until just before the toss."
The ICC also held the PCB accountable.
Gavaskar further stated that nowhere in the Laws of Cricket does it state that the match referee must apologize. Gavaskar wrote, "There was no excuse for delaying the start of the match. The ICC then clearly stated that no apology was given, yet the PCB claimed they received it. They simply grabbed the term 'regrettable miscommunication' and declared it an apology."
The terrorists involved in the attack near Delhi's Red Fort, who were part of a sophisticated ter
'Zubeen Garg was poisoned,' reveals singer's friend; alleges conspiracy
There has been a new twist in the case of the death of renowned singer and icon Zubeen Garg. His
Young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi created a storm in the second Youth ODI match against South A
Shubman Gill: Injured or rested? Fans react to Gill's exclusion from the T20 series.
Speculation is rife after Indian T20 team vice-captain Shubman Gill was ruled out of the fourth T
ADGP Suicide: Postmortem of Puran Kumar's body begins, wife arrives at PGI with Chandigarh SSP
The post-mortem examination of the body of Haryana ADGP Y. Puran Kumar has begun. Chandigarh SSP
In the past few days, gold and silver have been setting new records every day. However, today, af
The Congress party on Wednesday termed China's claims of mediating between India and Pakistan as
Kolkata Rains: Rains wreak havoc before Durga Puja, killing 7 people, disrupting normal life
Torrential rains lashed Kolkata and its surrounding areas overnight on Tuesday, disrupting normal
Cyclone Montha is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the evening or night of O
Salman Khan wept uncontrollably while remembering Dharmendra, saying, "Everyone was crying, but..."
Today marks the 90th birthday of the late actor Dharmendra. Although he is no longer in this worl
