Virat Kohli used to harass India by Pakistan

The Asia Cup has been overshadowed by the handshake controversy following the group-stage match between India and Pakistan on September 14. Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir lauded former Indian skipper Virat Kohli on social media amid the controversy, calling him the “best human being.”

India’s players, led by Suryakumar Yadav, walked off without the customary handshakes with Pakistan players. This incident has sparked tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Notably, Pakistan’s match against the UAE on Wednesday was delayed.

Mohammad Amir Hails Virat Kohli as India’s Best Player and Human

Amid the ongoing handshake controversy, Mohammad Amir posted a picture on social media with Virat Kohli from the 2016 T20 World Cup. Kohli had gifted him a bat before the India-Pakistan clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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Amir called Virat Kohli the “best player and best human being” in Indian cricket history. While the post appeared complimentary to Virat Kohli, many called it a subtle dig at the current Indian team after the no-handshake saga.

The post quickly went viral, sparking fresh debates among cricket fans across both countries. “One thing is for sure, Virat is the best player and best human being in Indian cricket history, respect,” Amir wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

No-Handshake Controversy Escalates Between PCB and ICC

The no-handshake controversy has sparked a dispute between the PCB and the ICC. Notably, the Pakistan board could face potential sanctions for repeated breaches of PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) regulations under chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s leadership.

The conflict began when the PCB demanded that match referee Andy Pycroft be removed from the Asia Cup, accusing him of violating the spirit of cricket. However, the ICC rejected their request twice, and Pycroft continued to oversee games, including Pakistan’s clash with the UAE.

The Pakistan-UAE fixture started an hour late on Wednesday after the PCB threatened to withdraw unless Pycroft was sidelined. Following negotiations, the game went ahead, and Pakistan defeated the UAE by 41 runs to secure a Super Four rematch against India.

PCB Confirmed Andy Pycroft Apologized to the Captain, Coach, and Team Manager

Right before the start of the game against the UAE, the Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement saying that Andy Pycroft had apologized to captain Salman Ali Agha, coach Mike Hesson, and the team manager.

The PCB then released a video of Pycroft speaking with the group, but the clip was muted, leaving the actual content of the conversation unclear.

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta informed the PCB that filming inside the Players and Match Officials Area violated regulations. Phones are strictly prohibited in that zone under the Anti-Corruption Code, and the Pakistan team manager was found to have broken this rule.

The ICC is now considering whether disciplinary action or financial penalties should be taken, as the board’s attempt to prove Pycroft’s apology may have created an even bigger controversy.

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