The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed a complaint following their Group A match of the ongoing Asia Cup against India. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the board had informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that match referee Andy Pycroft did not follow the game’s rules or uphold the “Spirit of Cricket” during Sunday’s match at the Dubai International Stadium.
“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the match referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws relating to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded the immediate removal of the match referee from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi posted on X.
After the match, Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema also lodged a formal protest against India’s actions, calling them “inappropriate behaviour.”
Tensions between the two teams were visible from the start. During the toss, both captains skipped the customary handshake after Andy Pycroft reportedly advised Salman Ali Agha not to proceed with it. After India chased down a modest target of 128 runs, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube celebrated with fist bumps among themselves and headed straight to their dressing room. The rest of the Indian team also celebrated among themselves but did not approach the Pakistan players.
Pakistan’s cricketers waited on the field for the customary post-match handshake, but the Indian team remained inside and shut the dressing room door.
In protest, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match press conference.
On the field, India’s bowlers dominated from the outset, and the Indian batters sealed the victory in the 16th over of the second innings. With their second consecutive win, India now sits at the top of the points table with four points from two games, while Pakistan remain at the second position with two points.
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