The no handshake controversy became more complicated as some recent claims suggested that Pakistan threatened to boycott their upcoming Asia Cup 2025 match against the hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Match referee Andy Pycroft quickly took the center of all controversies after the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a complaint against him, alleging Pycroft misused his position when he instructed the two captains, Suryakumar Yadav of India and Salam Agha of Pakistan, not to shake hands at the toss. Pakistan asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to remove him from the panel of referees for the ongoing Asia Cup. It is reported that PCB said to ICC that if their demands fail to be met, then they can withdraw from the tournament as well.

"The PCB has 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. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the match referee from the Asia Cup. Mohsin Naqvi, PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council head, announced this through a social media post, as per media reports. 

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According to the report, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is considering sanctions against India for the no handshake incident. But BCCI, as of now, denied receiving any complaint from ACC. 

Pakistan threatened to plugged out of Asia Cup 2025 in protest

Why did Team India deny shaking hands with Pakistan? Captain Surya Kumar Yadav explained that they were in the field only to play the game. With the dominating win, he and his boys wanted to make a proper reply. 

"Our government and BCCI were aligned together. The rest, we came here, we took a call. I feel we came here just to play the game. I think we gave them a proper reply. Few things in life are ahead of the sportsman spirit. We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, and we stand with their families. As I said, we dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor", Yadav said.