Pakistan Demands Referee's Removal After India's Handshake Snub at Asia Cup
Political tensions have erupted at the Asia Cup after Indian cricketers refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts following India's victory. Citing a recent terror attack, the Indian team's gesture prompted a strong official protest from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The PCB has formally complained to the ICC, alleging a violation of the spirit of cricket and demanding the immediate removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the tournament, escalating the diplomatic fallout from the on-field incident.
Unpacked:
The Indian team's gesture was a response to the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in casualties among Indian armed forces and civilians. The players dedicated their actions and victory to the victims of this attack, reflecting heightened political and nationalistic sentiment in India.
Shaking hands after a cricket match is a goodwill gesture and a long-standing tradition signaling mutual respect, not a formal requirement. Cricket's rule books do not mandate handshakes; it is seen as a convention followed globally but not enforced by law.
The PCB formally complained to the ICC and ACC, alleging that the spirit of cricket and ICC conduct codes were violated. They claimed the match referee, Andy Pycroft, instructed Pakistan's captain to avoid handshakes and demanded his immediate removal from the tournament.
Indian authorities, including the BCCI, defended the team's actions as justified given current tensions, emphasizing no rule requires handshakes. Pakistani officials and the PCB viewed the refusal as a breach of sportsmanship and lodged formal protests, demanding action against the match referee and expressing disappointment.