Why PCB Suspends Official Over India-Pakistan Handshake Row?
The recent India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match has triggered major controversy, centering around a much-publicized handshake snub between the two teams’ captains. The PCB Suspend Top Official Over India-Pakistan Handshake Row has become headline news, as the fallout has extended from the field to the boardroom, culminating in the suspension of the PCB’s Director of International Cricket. This incident not only spotlighted sportsmanship concerns but also underscored the swift and high-pressure decision-making inside cricket administrations during political and cultural flashpoints. So let’s know Why PCB Suspends Official Over India-Pakistan Handshake Row?
Fallout from a High-Stakes Handshake Snub
The handshake controversy erupted after India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha did not shake hands before or after their crucial Asia Cup fixture, reportedly following instructions from match referee Andy Pycroft. The omission of this gesture, seen as a core tradition in cricket, prompted outrage and escalated diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Both the lack of post-match interaction and the confrontational aftermath involved senior officials and raised questions about the management of cricketing etiquette. The incident particularly stung Pakistan’s cricket authorities, owing to both the geopolitical climate and the symbolic importance of the match.
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Why Did the PCB Suspend Its Top Official?
The PCB suspended its Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, for failing to immediately forward a crucial complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the handshake incident. Wahla had been tasked with submitting the board’s formal protest against match referee Andy Pycroft, who allegedly asked both captains to skip the handshake—an instruction the PCB views as a violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and the spirit of cricket. However, Wahla’s delay in executing this directive angered the PCB leadership, especially Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has been vocal about upholding Pakistan’s cricketing prestige. The board emphasized that respect and honour for their nation are non-negotiable, viewing the missed handshake and the subsequent procedural delay as threats to these values.
Will cricketing authorities address deeper procedural and diplomatic sensitivities around marquee matches, or will future games risk repeating such public disputes?
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