IND vs PAK Handshake Row: PCB faces double humiliation; ICC cracks down on Pakistan's stubbornness, says Pycroft is blameless, case closed!

The controversy that erupted after the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 continues to escalate. A major drama unfolded in Dubai on Wednesday when the Pakistan cricket team refused to leave their hotel and leave the field. Consequently, the crucial Group A match between Pakistan and the UAE was delayed by an hour. The ICC took a firm stance on the controversy, issuing a stern rebuke to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and clarifying that match referee Andy Pycroft had not violated any rules.

The controversy began with a lack of a handshake.

The entire matter began during Sunday's India-Pakistan match. At the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha or exchange team sheets. The Indian players also refrained from shaking hands with the Pakistani players after the match. This move was taken to show solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accused match referee Andy Pycroft of instructing Salman Ali Agha to avoid handshakes and not hand out team sheets to the two captains.

Refused to leave the hotel

The matter worsened on Wednesday when the Pakistan team refused to leave the Grosvenor Hotel. The ICC rejected the PCB's second complaint, leading to a deadlock. Consequently, the match began at 9:00 PM instead of 8:00 PM. Match referee Andy Pycroft was present at the stadium but was later escorted to ICC headquarters under tight security.

ICC's six-point response

According to news agency PTI, the ICC provided a six-point explanation in a written response to the PCB. The letter stated, "The ICC's investigation was based on the information provided in the PCB's report. We took the report seriously, but it was not accompanied by any documentary evidence or statements from the team players." The ICC clarified that the PCB had ample opportunity to provide statements from the players, but they did not do so.

In the second point, the ICC wrote that "no case is made out" against the match referee. The third point stated, "The match referee's actions were in accordance with clear instructions from the ACC Venue Manager. He received this information only minutes before the toss, so he had no other option." The ICC also stated that Pycroft's only intention was to "maintain the dignity of the toss and avoid any potential embarrassment."

Responsibility was placed on the ACC and PCB.

The ICC clarified that the decision not to have a handshake was not the match referee's, but the tournament organizers' and team managers'. The ICC stated, "If the PCB's actual complaint is about the decision not to have a handshake, they should make this complaint to the tournament organizers and decision-makers (which is not the ICC). The ICC has no role in this." The ICC has thus put the ball back in the court of ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Tournament Director Andy Russell. The ICC's firm stance clearly indicates it is in no mood to pursue the matter further. The ball now rests with the PCB and ACC to resolve this dispute.