Pakistan Files Complaint to ICC Over Sportsmanship Row in India Clash

Dubai — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), accusing India of violating sportsmanship norms during their Asia Cup 2025 encounter and demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft.

In its letter, the PCB alleged that India’s players breached the “spirit of cricket” by refusing to shake hands with Pakistani players after their victory, while also pointing to Pycroft’s role in asking both captains not to exchange handshakes at the toss. The board has called for Pycroft to be immediately withdrawn from the tournament and informed the Asia Cup tournament director of its concerns.

Earlier, PCB and Asian Cricket Council Chairman Mohsin Naqvi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that “bringing politics into sport goes against its true spirit,” expressing hope that future wins would be celebrated with dignity and respect by all teams.

The controversy escalated when Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha refused to attend the post-match ceremony in protest at what the PCB described as unsporting conduct by the Indian side.