IND vs PAK: Gavaskar targets PCB, says action should be taken for not holding press conference, no right to stop the match

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."