PCB orders ICC to sack match referee after no-handshake controversy in India vs Pakistan clash
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Following the controversial denial of a handshake by the Indian players after the match between India and Pakistan ended at the Dubai International Stadium, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has complained to the ICC against the Match Referee for allegedly violating the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws.
The India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 was more of a political contest than a game of cricket. Rather than taking competitive actions on the field, the players, officials, fans, and management were all seen engaging in a silent boycott through their actions.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav was the first to initiate the light banter by not showing any interest in shaking hands with the Pakistani skipper Salman Agha during the time of the toss.
PCB takes strict action against the Match Official for violation of the Code of Conduct
India played against Pakistan, but the same spirit of the game was not withheld by either of the two nations. As the game concluded with India sealing a victory, the Indian batters Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked off the ground without the handshake between the players at the end of the game. Nor did the teams line up for the same ritual.
For this humiliation, the PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, has knocked on the doors of the International Cricket Council and has urged for action to be taken against the Match Referee Andy Pycroft.
Mohsin Naqvi stated, "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 pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup."
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India dominated Pakistan in a 7-wicket victory
Indian bowlers were sent in to bowl first at Dubai, as Jasprit Bumrah shared the new ball alongside Hardik Pandya, the experienced all-rounder. Pandya dismissed Saim Ayub on the very first ball and handed Pakistan an immediate setback.
The Indian spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, did the initial damage, as they rattled the middle order. Axar picked two big wickets of Fakhar Zaman and the skipper, Salman Agha, while Kuldeep once again set the stage on fire.
After the Indian bowlers dominated the Pakistani batters, their no. 9, Shaheen Afridi, came in to launch some gigantic hits out of the ball. The speedster scored a crucial 33 off just 16 balls and was their second-highest scorer. He enjoyed smashing Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav for some colossal sixes.
Indian batters, however, chased the modest total with ease, and Abhishek Sharma is to be largely credited for it. India was off to a flyer in the power play due to the cameo from Abhishek at the top. Despite the two wickets, Suryakumar and Tilak took their time and guided India comfortably over the line.
Back-to-Back POTM Awards for Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav picked back-to-back wickets of Hassan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz, and while he missed a hat-trick chance, he then revived with another big wicket of Sahibzada Farhan.
Kuldeep was once again the pick of the bowlers and was awarded the Player of the Match for the second match in a row. He finished with the figures of 3/18 in his 4 overs, while in the first game against the UAE, he had stunned all and returned with the figures of 4/7.
Kuldeep is now the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 7 wickets across 2 games. Their next outing would be against Oman in Abu Dhabi.
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India National Cricket Team Pakistan National Cricket Team India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Mohsin Naqvi PCB ICC
