Senior journalist Waheed Khan has voiced strong criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressing his frustration over the way controversies surrounding the team have been handled. “It is so disappointing. On top of that, our Cricket Board... I mean, look, if you want to create dramas (controversies), don't create them before the match! All this drama is going on before the match! That the match referee...” Khan said, highlighting the PCB’s repeated mishandling of situations.

Khan recalled the incident involving match referee Andy Pycroft, explaining how a press release and a video with no audio were issued claiming Pycroft had apologized over a misunderstanding regarding the toss in the match against India. “And what was the final result? It means, to fool people, a press release was issued. A video was released that had no audio, saying that the match referee, Andy Pycroft, was sitting there. He spoke with the manager, Salman Ali Agha, and the other people... maybe Waseem Khan, because he's Pakistani; they used him. They brought him there. And he said, 'Oh, there was a misunderstanding and miscommunication with me regarding the toss in the match against India,' and he apologized. And that's it! It's finished.”

He also criticized PCB’s failure to act on earlier statements demanding Pycroft’s removal, saying, “Where did that demand go? To remove Andy Pycroft from the tournament? It didn't even happen that he was removed from Pakistan's matches. And now the Pakistan Cricket Board has just kept quiet and sat down. What else could they do?”

Communication Chaos and Controversy

Khan elaborated on the communication chaos surrounding match schedules and the PCB’s mismanagement. “First, they say the match is starting at 7:30. Then a second press release comes from another media officer saying, 'No, it's starting at 8:30.' Then another media person, Amir Mir Sahib, comes and says, 'No, negotiations are still going on.' And with whom are negotiations going on? Mohsin Naqvi Sahib has brought in Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi, Aaqib Javed, and Salman Naseer. If Mohsin Naqvi Sahib still hasn't understood cricket..."

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💥🚨 Senior journalist Waheed khan has exposed @TheRealPCB in his style.

He also said PCB knew before the toss that India is not going to "handshake"! yet Pakistan did drama to fool the fans & targeted Pycroft unnecessary

He also slammed Pakistan cricket as an international… pic.twitter.com/XbufNqBLFv

— Slogger (@kirikraja) September 18, 2025

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He added that PCB officials were aware of the no-handshake situation between India and Pakistan but still created unnecessary drama, calling it a “mock-up on a mock-up” in Dubai. Khan’s main point remained that the PCB’s inability to manage controversies and communicate effectively has severely damaged Pakistan cricket’s international reputation.

Pakistan’s threat to pull out of the Asia Cup after demanding the removal of ICC referee Andy Pycroft could be very costly. If they go ahead with it, the PCB might lose around USD 12–16 million. In the ACC, five main teams India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan each get 15 percent of the annual revenue, while the rest is shared by smaller teams. Revenue streams include broadcast deals, sponsorships, ticketing, and other sources.

From this Asia Cup alone, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) projected earnings are estimated to be between USD 12 to 16 million. With the cricket board not as financially strong as the BCCI, a pullout could spell disaster. Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) recently signed an eight-year deal (2024-2031) with the ACC for USD 170 million, covering broadcast rights for the men’s, women’s, and Under-19 Asia Cups.

PCB chief and Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Mohsin Naqvi, has openly criticized Pycroft, blaming him for the controversy triggered by India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan players. However, the ICC has refused to remove Pycroft, rejecting Pakistan’s demand.

Financial and Political Stakes for Pakistan

A source familiar with PCB affairs told PTI, “Can Naqvi risk Pakistan losing around USD 16 million out of a projected budget of USD 227 million for the fiscal year? That will be roughly seven percent of the annual PCB revenue gone. It will be walking on thin ice for him. But again, as one of the important ministers of Pakistan, he also needs to keep his respect in front of his countrymen.”

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If Pakistan were to withdraw, it would likely face isolation in the ACC boardroom, with other directors possibly objecting to it receiving its 15 percent share without participating in a marquee event. Naqvi, as ACC head, could also face backlash from the official broadcaster, which might refuse to pay the agreed-upon fee. With the India-Pakistan match being the biggest revenue generator, any pullout could mean significant losses for advertisers and the broadcaster. Therefore, Pycroft is expected to continue as referee in Pakistan’s game against the UAE, unless other ACC nations agree to adjust match assignments.

The high-stakes Asia Cup 2025 encounter between India and Pakistan may have concluded in a one-sided triumph for India, but the drama surrounding the contest began much earlier. Both captains did not shake hands at the toss, which created controversy. In the post-match proceedings, Indian players still did not shake hands with the Pakistani players and entered the dressing room.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wasted no time in raising objections. After officially lodging a protest with the ICC match referee over India’s conduct, the PCB further demanded the immediate removal of Andy Pycroft from the panel of referees for the Asia Cup. According to the PCB, Pycroft overstepped his authority by allegedly instructing the captains not to shake hands before the match.

Reports suggest that the PCB has even threatened to boycott its upcoming fixture against the UAE on September 17 if Pycroft remains in charge. The matter has escalated into a full-blown dispute, with the PCB openly criticizing the match referee’s handling of the situation.

PCB’s Stand and Pycroft’s Role

"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," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on social media. He added: "Utterly disappointing to witness the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let's hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace."

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The PCB team management also backed its protest, with manager Naveed Cheema stating: "Team manager Naveed Cheema lodged a strong protest against Indian players' behaviour of not shaking hands. It was deemed as unsporting and against the sport of the game. As a protest we did not send our captain to the post match ceremony." Pycroft, a veteran official on the ICC Elite Panel since 2009, now finds himself at the center of the storm, with his role in the match and decisions under intense scrutiny.

In Match No. 6, India put on an excellent show against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 and won by seven wickets. The big match, played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14, saw India dominate their match against a Pakistan team that looked out of their depth the entire contest.

However, after the win, the Indian team did not follow the standard post-match handshake ritual with the opposition or match officials. The players instead walked straight off the field and into their dressing room, leaving the Pakistan side shocked by the unusual move. The action was intentional, being taken in solidarity with the sombre atmosphere in India after the awful Pahalgam terror attacks done earlier in the year.

The terror strike, allegedly linked to Pakistani elements, claimed the lives of 26 innocent people and left the country in deep grief and anger. Against this backdrop, India’s gesture was symbolic of the emotions back home. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who sealed the game with a six, voiced his grief and solidarity with the victims and their families at the post-match presentation.

Suryakumar’s Dedication and Pakistan’s Silence

“This was the perfect occasion to take the time out and stand by the victims of Pahalgam. We dedicate this win to their families and our armed forces, who continue to inspire us all,” Suryakumar said. His unbeaten 47 off 37 balls was also the top score in the run chase, ensuring India cruised to victory with 25 balls to spare. The win also confirmed India as the first team to qualify for the Super Four stage of the competition.

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No Hand shake after the match .
Pakistani players were looking at Indian dressing room and they closed door . #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/IOOOY1hNCx

— Warfront 🧙‍♂️,🛠️ Anomage π² (@Warfront_1) September 14, 2025

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: 'We Were Ready to Shake Hands…' – Pakistan coach reacts as India refuse handshake in IND vs PAK match 6

Interestingly, Pakistan captain Agha Salman did not appear for the post-match interaction. Whether this was a broadcaster’s oversight or a reaction to India’s refusal to shake hands remains unclear. Regardless, the evening highlighted not just India’s dominance on the field but also their firm political and emotional stand off it.