Pakistan Cricket Board Acts After Referee, India Controversy
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has intensified its protest over the Asia Cup handshake controversy, suspending a senior official while escalating the matter to cricket’s top governing bodies.
Usman Wahla, Director International at PCB, has been suspended for failing to act swiftly against what the board described as misconduct by India’s team and match referee Andy Pycroft. The controversy stems from reports that Pycroft told Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha there would be “no handshake” after the match, while also instructing media not to capture the scene.
PCB’s chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, expressed deep dissatisfaction over the episode. “The honor and dignity of Pakistan cannot be compromised,” he said, vowing accountability for all involved.
The board has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), citing violations of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC’s Laws of Cricket. It termed Pycroft’s directive a “serious breach of cricket’s spirit” and accused the Indian side of unsporting behavior.
The episode has reignited tensions between Pakistan and India in cricket, with speculation that it could influence Pakistan’s future participation in tournaments hosted under the same conditions. PCB insiders suggest the suspension of Wahla signals the board’s intent to tighten internal accountability as well as external pressure.
