The PCB dismisses withdrawal rumors after a strange handshake problem during cricket matches. Pakistan will continue playing in the Asia Cup 2025 despite feeling upset about decisions. Match referee Andy Pycroft created trouble by stopping captains from shaking hands.
What Happened During the Toss
Andy Pycroft told both captains not to shake hands before the match. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and India captain Suryakumar Yadav followed his instructions. This unusual decision made many cricket fans and officials very angry.
The handshake between captains happens in every cricket match around the world. Players always shake hands to show respect for each other. Pycroft broke this important cricket tradition without giving proper reasons to anyone.
“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,” the PCB source said.
Pakistan officials felt very hurt by this disrespectful behavior from the referee. They believed Pycroft treated their team unfairly during the important tournament. The PCB dismisses withdrawal rumors but remains upset about this incident.
Pakistan’s Official Response to ICC
PCB President Mohsin Naqvi spoke strongly against Andy Pycroft’s strange decision. He said this behavior went against cricket’s spirit and values. Naqvi wanted the ICC to remove Pycroft from his referee position.
Pakistan’s cricket board sent an official complaint to the ICC immediately. They claimed Pycroft violated the ICC Code of Conduct during matches. The PCB wanted proper action against the referee for his behavior.
However, the ICC rejected Pakistan’s demand to remove Andy Pycroft completely. This decision disappointed Pakistani cricket officials who expected better support. The cricket board felt the ICC did not care about fairness.
Tournament Continues Despite Problems
The PCB dismisses withdrawal rumors and will keep playing Asia Cup 2025 matches. Leaving the tournament would bring heavy financial penalties from the ICC. Pakistan cannot afford to lose money by quitting the competition.
Pakistan must now focus on beating the UAE in their next match. This game will decide if they can move forward in the Asia Cup 2025. Both teams will practice at ICC Academy before playing each other.
