From objecting to match referee Andy Pycroft over the handshake controversy, threatening to withdraw from the tournament, and eventually refusing to hand over the trophy to the winners, Pakistan now faces possible sanctions at the international level, sources told Telecomasia.net.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will raise the issue in the ICC Board meeting next week after a series of confrontational moves by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). From challenging the referee to taking the trophy away without presenting it, the PCB has crossed several lines.
Trophy Withheld, Tensions Rise
Indian players refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and also Pakistan’s interior minister, citing his political involvement in recent conflicts.
Efforts by ACC Vice President Aminul Islam of Bangladesh and ICC Associate representative Mubashir Usmani to break the deadlock failed. Naqvi, reportedly acting on instructions from higher authorities, insisted he alone would present the trophy.
When India declined, the trophy was ordered to be taken away before presenter Simon Doull could announce the winners.
It shocked everyone. The decision to remove the trophy without awarding it was unprecedented and could backfire against the PCB if the BCCI presses hard in the ICC meeting.
Clash Begins With Handshake Row
The controversy, however, had begun much earlier. On 14 September, during the India-Pakistan group-stage clash, the PCB objected to Pycroft relaying a BCCI request that Pakistan captain Salman Agha not shake hands with his Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav at the toss.
The PCB lodged a formal complaint against Pycroft, accusing him of siding with India and demanding his removal from the tournament. The ICC dismissed the complaint, warning that bowing to such demands would set a dangerous precedent.
Enraged, Pakistan even considered pulling out of the Asia Cup just hours before their final group match against hosts UAE. The game was delayed for over an hour, though Pakistan eventually played and won to advance to the Super Four.
Political Statements Add Fuel
The PCB also lodged a protest over Suryakumar Yadav’s dedication of India’s first win to victims of the April 22 Pahalgam attacks, which India blamed on Pakistan but Islamabad denied.
In retaliation, the BCCI complained against Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for controversial celebrations. Farhan mimed a gun salute after reaching his fifty, while Rauf made gestures alluding to the downing of Indian aircraft during the military conflict.
Both sides faced ICC disciplinary hearings. Reports suggested Suryakumar and Rauf were fined 30 per cent of their match fees, while Farhan was let off with a warning.
ICC Angered By Confrontational Stance
'According to insiders, ICC officials were left frustrated by the series of provocations and, in particular, by Naqvi’s refusal to compromise during the presentation ceremony.
The confrontational behaviour during the Asia Cup could have lasting consequences for the PCB.
