Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan Official Reinstated Amid Controversial ‘Handshake Gate’ With India

In light of the handshake controversy following India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup match in Dubai on Sunday, it has come to light that Usman Wahla, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director of International Cricket, may have been recalled to Pakistan amid rumors of his dismissal.

This development follows Pakistani media reports suggesting dissatisfaction among PCB leadership with Wahla’s management of post-match events, which notably saw Indian players decline to participate in the customary handshake with the Pakistani team.

This left the Pakistani players in an awkward position, as they proceeded with the post-match handshake routine amongst themselves before waiting in vain for the Indian team to join. Reacting to this, Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, abstained from post-match duties, as explained by head coach Mike Hesson.

India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, commented on the team’s choice, stating, “We came here just to play the game, and we gave them a proper reply.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board officially lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is led by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, against match referee Andy Pycroft. PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi revealed on social media the PCB’s call for Pycroft’s immediate removal due to alleged violations of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC Laws related to the Spirit of Cricket.

Naqvi expressed disappointment over the perceived lack of sportsmanship, emphasizing that politics should not interfere with the game and expressing hope for future victories to be celebrated graciously by all teams.

There are also claims that Pakistan has threatened to withdraw from the ongoing Asia Cup if no action is taken against Pycroft by the ICC. Notably, India and Pakistan could potentially face each other two more times in the upcoming weeks of the Asia Cup.

The group stage match took place under the shadow of calls from some Indian quarters for a boycott, against a backdrop of heightened tensions following a terrorist attack linked to Pakistan that killed 26 people in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April. India had responded with a military operation called Operation Sindoor aimed at dismantling terror operations in Pakistan. A military standoff ensued in May, prompting the relocation of the Asia Cup from India to the UAE.

Given the strained diplomatic ties, the Indian government stated that while it would not engage with Pakistan bilaterally in sports, it would continue to participate in international tournaments or multi-team events that included Pakistan.

Published on September 15, 2025.