Pak vs Ind: PCB protests Indian team’s conduct, urges ICC action

DUBAI: Controversy erupted following the high-stakes India-Pakistan cricket match in Asia Cup 2025, after the Indian team reportedly refused to shake hands with Pakistani players at the end of the game. The handshake fiasco has invited criticism from the cricketing community and the civil society alike, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodging a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) over the conduct of the Indian team, sources said.

In its letter, the PCB invoked the “spirit of cricket,” expressing displeasure at what it described as unsportsmanlike behaviour by Indian players, who allegedly refused to shake hands after the match, an act the board believes tarnished the game’s image. The PCB has urged the ICC and MCC to take note of the incident, stressing that politicising the sport in such a manner is unacceptable.

Also read: Pak VS Ind in Asia Cup 2025: the battlefield at the Dubai stadium

Speaking to the media after the match, Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson had expressed deep disappointment at the Indian team’s behavior. “We kept waiting for the Indian players after the match, but they went straight to the changing room. This was a very disappointing move,” said Hesson. “There was a severe lack of sportsmanship today.”

The absence of a post-match handshake, traditionally seen as a symbol of respect and camaraderie in cricket, has caused significant fallout. Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema confirmed that a formal protest has been lodged with the match referee, citing inappropriate conduct.

“Indian players’ failure to shake hands is against the spirit of sportsmanship,” Cheema said.

Adding to the controversy, Cheema revealed that at the toss, the match referee had asked both captains not to shake hands, a directive that was reportedly not communicated clearly or was interpreted differently by both sides. In a symbolic protest, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha did not attend the post-match ceremony.

PCB, COACH, AND OFFICIALS RESPOND

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also weighed in, criticising what he described as the politicisation of the sport.

“Dragging politics into the game is against the spirit of cricket,” Naqvi said. “We hope all teams in the future celebrate victories with dignity and respect.”

Coach Mike Hesson echoed these sentiments, calling Pakistan’s reaction “natural” and emphasising the importance of mutual respect in cricket.

ON-FIELD ANALYSIS: BATTING, STRATEGY, AND SELECTION

On the match itself, which Pakistan lost, Hesson acknowledged several tactical shortcomings. “We scored 20 to 30 runs short. Winning the toss and choosing to bat was the right decision, as the pitch gets slower in the second innings,” Hesson noted.

Also read: Pakistan vs India: high-voltage clash of Asia Cup 2025

He defended the decision to rely more on spinners, explaining that only two overs were bowled by fast bowlers, despite Haris Rauf being fit. Hesson also expressed faith in underperforming openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, who have faced criticism for a lack of runs.

PCB RAISES DEMAND FOR REFEREE CHANGE

“If the match referee is not changed, no more Asia Cup matches will be played,” PCB said to the ICC, sources said on Monday.

The statement submitted by the PCB has said that match referee Andy Pycroft acted against the spirit of cricket, and therefore the ICC should immediately replace Pycroft.

Andy Pycroft forbade both captains from shaking hands before the toss in the Asia Cup match. Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema also recorded his protest on the matter last night.