'Highest level of offence': What does the PCB’s letter to the ICC say on handshake controversy at Asia Cup?

The Indian cricket team's refusal to shake hands with Pakistan players after their Asia Cup clash in Dubai on Sunday has sparked a major controversy, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft. The incident occurred after India's seven-wicket victory, with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav stating the gesture was in solidarity with families of the Pahalgam terror attack victims, where 26 tourists were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

The PCB has escalated the matter to both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), expressing strong disapproval of the incident.




As TimesofIndia.com reported, Pakistan have threatened to withdraw from the tournament if Pycroft is not removed, though this seems unlikely given PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi's position as ACC head and ICC's leadership under India's Jay Shah. Additionally, TimesofIndia.com had also reported that ICC would reject PCB's demands.

What did PCB say in the letter to ICC?

As per local media outlet Dawn, the PCB letter to the ICC stated, “It is alarming to note that an ICC-appointed and supposedly neutral match referee opted to indulge in conduct, which clearly violates the Spirit of Cricket and MCC Laws.

“The match referee failed to discharge his responsibility: to ensure that respect was extended and maintained amongst the captains as well as between the two competing sides; and to create a positive atmosphere by his conduct and encourage the captains and participating teams to do likewise.

“In fact, the Match Referee’s instructions to the two team captains were entirely directed towards achieving the opposite result. This misconduct violates Article 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Match Officials, which specifically makes it an offence for the Match Referee to conduct himself in a manner, which is contrary to the spirit of game and violates the MCC Laws.

“Given the gravity, political nature/background, and far-reaching consequences and repercussions, the misconduct has also caused disrepute to the game.


The PCB letter added that “we believe the highest level of offence has been committed”.


Earlier on Monday, PCB cheif Naqvi had stated that they were going to lodge a complaint with the ICC.

"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," Naqvi said on social media platform X.

The PCB claims Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart during the toss.

In the post-match press conference, Suryakumar Yadav made the team's stance clear. "Together, we came here, we took a call and I feel we came here just to play the game. I think we gave the proper reply," Suryakumar responded.

When questioned about political motivations, Suryakumar stated: "I feel few things in life are ahead of sportsman's spirit also. We stand with victims of Pahalgam terror attack and dedicate this victory to our Armed Forces."