The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally issued a statement on the 'handshake controversy' that happened after the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025. After India's seven-wicket win in the match against Pakistan, the Indian players did not shake hands with the Pakistani cricketers. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also did not greet Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was angered by this incident and lodged an official complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
'Handshake is only a goodwill gesture'
A senior BCCI official clearly said that shaking hands is only a tradition, not a rule. The official told news agency PTI, 'Look, if you read the rule book, there is no mention of shaking hands in it. It is just a goodwill gesture and is performed as a tradition all over the world under the spirit of sportsmanship.'
'If there is no rule, then there is no compulsion'
The BCCI official further said, 'If there is no rule about this, then the Indian team is not obliged to shake hands with the opposition team, especially when the relations between the two countries are tense.' The Indian players not shaking hands with the Pakistani players is now becoming a big controversy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also furious after losing to India and has demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, blaming him for not shaking hands. Indian captain Suryakumar had supported this stand of the team and dedicated the victory to the armed forces after the match, and showed solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
Will India's stand remain intact in the future?
According to news agency PTI, if India reaches the final on September 28, the players will not share the stage with Naqvi. Naqvi, being the ACC chief, can give the trophy to the winning team. Both teams talked to the other, even during the toss and warm-up. Both the captains handed over the team sheet to the match referee. It is also understood that the decision of not shaking hands is a policy and will be repeated if India faces Pakistan again in the Super 4 stage next Sunday.
PCB demands strict action
On the other hand, PCB is extremely upset with this incident. Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that he has lodged a complaint with the ICC against match referee Andy Pycott. Naqvi wrote on 'X', 'Pakistan Cricket Board has lodged a complaint regarding the violation of ICC Code of Conduct and MCC rules by the match referee and has demanded his immediate removal from the Asia Cup.'
A controversy has erupted over the new notification issued by the University Grants Commission (U
IPL Team Sponsorship Crosses ₹1,000 Crore Mark: Here's What It Means—Explained Simply
In the current era, the IPL has evolved from being merely a cricket league into a major business
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the continued bombing of Iran, the International Atom
Vijay Hazare Trophy: 15 fours and 8 sixes... Dhruv Jurel smashes his first List A century.
Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel has scored his first List A century. In the third-round m
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been cleared by Cricket Australia (CA) to play competitive cricket
Rajpal Yadav surrendered to Delhi's Tihar Jail a few days ago in a ₹9 crore check-bounce case.
'If I could meet CM Yogi, I would find peace of mind,' says engineer Yuvraj's father.
Rajkumar Mehta, the father of engineer Yuvraj Mehta, who died in Noida, has expressed satisfactio
Former Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf made a statement on the social media platform X regarding
During the recent teaser launch event held in LA, Ranbir Kapoor praised Sai Pallavi for her portr
Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana has undergone knee surgery, crushing his dream of playing in the
