Asia Cup handshake controversy: PCB unlikely to withdraw, says source

Tensions continue to simmer after the dramatic “no-handshake” episode at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday night, sparking heated debates within cricketing circles. The incident has led to widespread reactions from fans, officials, and media alike.

While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially threatened drastic action, reports suggest a full withdrawal from the Asia Cup appears far-fetched. Walking away would damage Pakistan’s chances in the tournament and invite further criticism.

According to TimesofIndia.com, the PCB is expected to reconsider its stance, balancing emotions with practicality. Despite the uproar, it seems unlikely that Pakistan will actually abandon the competition midway.

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: With ICC rebuff on handshake dispute, Pakistan left with two choices

Pakistan unlikely to Withdraw from Asia Cup:

A PCB insider informed TimesofIndia.com that despite the ongoing controversy, Pakistan is unlikely to quit the Asia Cup. The board believes withdrawing would harm the team’s image and tournament prospects, so they will likely continue competing.

The source said, “It is very unlikely that the PCB will pull out from the Asia Cup. If we do that, ICC led by Jay Shah will put heavy sanctions on the PCB, and this is something our board cannot afford. The financial situation post the Champions Trophy, where all the stadiums were renovated, is not good.”

A day earlier, PCB chief and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi shared a post on social media, addressing the controversy. His statement reflected the board’s stance and hinted at their approach moving forward. He said, “ There is nothing more important to me than the honour and prestige of my country.”

PCB’s Official Complaint to ICC:

The PCB filed a formal complaint with the ICC against match referee Andy Pycroft, who had instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and India’s Suryakumar Yadav to forgo the traditional handshake during the toss.

In that official letter, it wrote, “ It is alarming to note that an ICC-appointed and supposedly neutral match referee opted to indulge in conduct which clearly violates the Spirit of Cricket and MCC Laws. The match referee failed to discharge his responsibility: to ensure that respect was extended and maintained amongst the captains as well as between the two competing sides; and to create a positive atmosphere by his conduct and encourage the captains and participating teams to do likewise.”

In that letter, it was further written, “ In fact, the match referee’s instructions to the two team captains were entirely directed towards achieving the opposite result. This misconduct violates Article 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Match Officials, which specifically makes it an offence for the match referee to conduct himself in a manner that is contrary to the spirit of the game and violates the MCC Laws.”

In that letter, it was further written, “ Given the gravity, political nature/background, and far-reaching consequences and repercussions, the misconduct has also caused disrepute to the game. We believe the highest level of offence has been committed.”

India and Pakistan will both train at the ICC Academy on Tuesday, albeit in separate time slots. India’s session is from 6 pm to 9 pm, while Pakistan trains from 8 pm to 11 pm. India has already secured a Super 4s spot, whereas Pakistan must defeat UAE on Wednesday to stay in contention and face India again on Sunday.