Asia Cup 2025: PCB likely to lodge complaint against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav

The India-Pakistan handshake controversy isn’t going away easily, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to lodge a complaint against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. 

The controversy surrounding the India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 began from the moment the tournament schedule was announced. As India-Pakistan damaged relations have moved to the critical point after the 2025 Pahalgam attack, many Indians called for a boycott of the matches against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, just like their other sporting and friendly relations.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is hosting the T20 Asia Cup 2025, having replaced India as the original host of the tournament. As India and Pakistan are in the same group in the tournament (Group A), they could meet three times if both teams qualify for the Final of the tournament.  

In their group stage clash last Sunday (September 14), while India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets, there was a massive controversy regarding the Indian team’s decision not to shake hands with the Pakistan team. 

See Also: Pakistan’s press conference cancellation sparks tensions ahead of UAE clash

Asia Cup 2025: ICC refused Pakistan's demand removal of match referee

Later, the Pakistan cricket team didn’t take the incident lightly. At first, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), confirmed that they had lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. 

While the PCB demanded the removal of the match referee Andy Pycroft from the remainder of the tournament, the ICC has rejected that demand. The match referee allegedly requested the captains not to shake hands during the toss. Similarly, India also refused to shake hands after the match. 

Although the ICC has rejected PCB’s initial demand, Pycroft is unlikely to stay as a match referee during any remaining Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup 2025. 

Asia Cup 2025: PCB likely to lodge complaint against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav

On the other hand, the PCB is now likely to lodge another complaint to the ICC, but this time regarding the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. This time, the allegation is delivering political statements during the post-match interview. 

In the post-match press conference, the Indian skipper said, “I think the BCCI and our government were aligned. We came here, we took a call and we came here just to play the game. And we gave them the proper reply.”

Later, he added, “I feel few things, few things in life are ahead of sportsmen’s spirit also. I have told it at the presentation as well that we actually stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. And we stand with their families also, expressing our solidarity. Also, as I said at PC, that we dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor. And as they continue to inspire us all, we will try our best whenever given an opportunity to inspire them as well, if possible.”

While Pakistan reportedly may consider pulling out of the Asia Cup 2025 after the recent India-Pakistan handshake saga, it is unlikely to happen.