Andy Pycroft exposes Mohsin Naqvi's role in 'No-Handshake' controversy in Asia Cup 2025

As India and Pakistan are set for another epic battle in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, the ICC match referee Andy Pycroft has made explosive revelations about the no-handshake controversy that stunned everyone and exposed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi.

Mohsin Naqvi is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Ahead of the India-Pakistan clash in the Super 4s on September 21 in Dubai, the no-handshake drama that unfolded during the Group A clash at the Asia Cup 2025 has taken a new twist.

Andy Pycroft reveals ACC, Mohsin Naqvi knew about India's no-handshake stance

As reported by ESPNCricinfo, match referee Andy Pycroft was informed that the Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and Pakistani captain, Salman Ali Agha, would not shake hands just minutes before the toss during the India-Pakistan clash in Dubai on September 14.

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The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) venue manager had informed Andy Pycroft "four minutes before the toss" that there would be no handshake exchange. The manager told Pycroft that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had decided that the Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav, would not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss.

And the Men in Blue continued their no-handshake stance after the match as well. It is being said that the BCCI had gotten the approval from the Indian government regarding the same, and they had already informed the ACC about their stance in advance, meaning Mohsin Naqvi was aware of this.

Salman Ali Agha was already informed about India's stance by Andy Pycroft

However, the Pakistan camp was caught off guard and argued that the ACC and International Cricket Council (ICC) should have informed them well in advance.

But the match referee, Pycroft, revealed that he had personally informed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha about India’s no-handshake stance before the toss to avoid a public embarrassment despite having very little time.

The incident sparked outrage in the Pakistan camp. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials accused Pycroft of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct and failing to uphold cricket’s spirit. They even demanded his removal from the rest of the tournament, but the ICC rejected the request.

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PCB sparks fresh controversy by sharing video of Andy Pycroft meeting

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has sparked another controversy by posting a video on social media showing a meeting between match referee Andy Pycroft and Pakistan’s senior management, including the captain Agha, coach Mike Hesson, and team manager Naved Cheema.

The video immediately raised eyebrows because recording and sharing it clearly breaks ICC rules. According to the ICC’s PMOA guidelines, no mobile phones are allowed inside the match officials’ area.

The ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta, has already written to the PCB about the breach of the Code of Conduct. Now, it remains to be seen whether the PCB will face fines or other sanctions for this violation by the ICC.

Notably, Pakistan and India are set for another high-voltage clash in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s on Sunday, September 21, at Dubai International Stadium. The no-handshake policy is expected to continue. However, there can be little post-match greetings between the teams.