The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally responded clearly to the 'handshake controversy' that arose after the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025.
Sports News: The Indian Cricket Control Board (BCCI) has issued an official statement regarding the 'handshake controversy' that occurred after the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025. India registered a seven-wicket victory against Pakistan in the match, but the Indian players did not shake hands with the Pakistani cricketers after the win.
During this time, captain Suryakumar Yadav also did not greet Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. This incident angered the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which lodged an official complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
BCCI's Statement: Handshakes are a Tradition, Not a Rule
A senior BCCI official told news agency PTI, "Shaking hands is just a tradition, not a rule. It is merely a goodwill gesture and is followed across the world under the spirit of the game." He further added that if one reads the rulebook, there is no compulsion to shake hands with the players of the opposing team in any cricket competition.
"If there is no rule, then the team cannot be forced, especially when there are political and social tensions between the two countries," the official clarified. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav supported the team's decision. He dedicated the victory to the armed forces after the match and showed solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack. The team also had no interaction with the Pakistan team during the toss and warm-up, and the captains handed over the match sheets to the match referee.
According to BCCI sources, this decision is policy-driven, and India may maintain this stand in the future as well. If India faces Pakistan again in the Super-4, the team will likely follow the same policy.
Pakistan Board's Reaction
On the other hand, the PCB is extremely angered by this incident. The board's chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has lodged a complaint with the ICC. Naqvi claims that match referee Andy Pycroft has violated the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC rules. He has demanded Pycroft's immediate removal from the Asia Cup. The PCB also states that the Indian team's refusal to shake hands has hurt the sportsmanship and spirit of cricket in the match.
Naqvi wrote on the social media platform 'X', "We have lodged a complaint with the ICC against the match referee for violating the rules and demand his immediate removal from the Asia Cup."
