In light of the controversy surrounding the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan, a senior Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official stated that shaking hands with the opponent at the conclusion of a cricket match is merely a goodwill gesture. Following the game, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistani counterpart Salman Ali Agha did not say hello. Indian cricket players refused to shake hands with their opponents even after their 7-wicket victory. The event infuriated the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which made the decision to formally complain to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The BCCI official clarified, nevertheless, that India’s actions were completely acceptable.
The BCCI official continued by saying that there is no legislation requiring players to shake hands at the conclusion of a match and that it is pointless for Indian cricket team players to interact with Pakistani cricket players in any way, let alone shake hands, considering the escalating political tensions between the two countries.
“Look, there is no mention of shaking hands with the opposition in the rule book. On condition of anonymity, a senior BCCI official told PTI, “It is a goodwill gesture and a sort of convention, not law, that is followed globally across the sporting spectrum.”
“If there is no law, then the Indian cricket team is not bound to shake hands with an opposition with whom there is a history of a strained relationship,” he stated.
Due to alleged violations of the “Code of Conduct,” the PCB also ordered that match referee Andy Pycroft be immediately removed from the current competition.
Regarding the Match Referee’s infringement of the MCC Laws related to the Spirit of Cricket and the ICC Code of Conduct, the PCB has filed a complaint with the ICC. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi stated on ‘X’ that the PCB has called for the Match Referee to be removed from the Asia Cup immediately.
