The high-voltage India-Pakistan group match at the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 was overshadowed by a bizarre “handshake row”. The Pakistan team initially refused to leave its hotel in Dubai, protesting against the appointment of match referee Andy Pycroft, whom it accused of barring the captains from shaking hands before the September 14 clash. As a result, the fixture began an hour late, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insisting that Pycroft had later apologised for the misunderstanding.
PCB claims apology, ICC pushes back
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore that Pycroft had “formally apologised” to captain Salman Ali Agha, coach Mike Hesson and manager Naveed Akram Cheema. “Pakistan’s honour has been preserved,” Naqvi said, adding that a request had been lodged with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a probe into breaches of protocol. Former PCB chairmen Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi welcomed what they described as a victory for Pakistan, with Raja even alleging bias in favour of India.
However, Indian media presented a contrasting account. The Times of India reported that Pycroft had held a meeting with the Pakistan camp to clarify a possible miscommunication but had not apologised. “There was no question of any apology, especially from someone who did no wrong,” a source was quoted as saying.
ICC issues rebuttal
The ICC issued a six-point statement dismissing the PCB’s allegations as “baseless”. It reiterated that Pycroft had committed no offence, and rejected Pakistan’s request to remove him from its panel of referees. According to ICC officials, Pycroft had only sought to explain the events of 14 September, not admit to any wrongdoing.
Despite this, the governing body said it was open to reviewing the code of conduct procedures surrounding the incident, which had caused embarrassment for both boards. Pycroft has since returned to ICC headquarters in Dubai.
Calls to move on
Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi stressed that politics should have no place in sport, while Raja urged players and administrators to “focus on cricket rather than off-field distractions”. Naqvi echoed these calls, urging the national side to concentrate on performance in upcoming matches.
While the dispute remains mired in conflicting accounts, the ICC’s stance is clear: Pycroft has been found not guilty of any offence and has not issued an apology. The episode, however, has underscored the sensitivities surrounding India-Pakistan contests, where even the smallest gestures carry weight well beyond the boundary rope.