No handshake saga

The Asia Cup was thrown into uncertainty last night after Pakistan threatened to pull out of the tournament in protest against ICC match referee Andy Pycroft’s handling of their clash with India on September 14. Their must-win game against the UAE eventually went ahead, but only after a delay, once Pycroft apologised to Pakistan’s team management.

The row, now known as the “No Handshake Saga,” began when Pycroft stopped the captains of India and Pakistan from shaking hands at the toss in Dubai. The moment, meant to be a gesture of sportsmanship, instead sparked one of the most unusual disputes in recent memory.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest, while coach Mike Hesson voiced his frustration at India’s refusal to take part in the traditional handshake at the end of the game. Team manager Naveed Cheema lodged a formal complaint with the ICC, accusing Pycroft of siding with India.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) quickly escalated matters, demanding Pycroft’s immediate removal from their remaining Asia Cup fixtures. When the ICC rejected that request, the PCB threatened to boycott their crunch game against the UAE unless he was replaced.

Tensions rose further on September 16 when Pakistan cancelled their scheduled pre-match press conference, though they did attend a training session at the ICC Academy. The PCB also sent a second letter to the ICC, repeating its demand. On match day, uncertainty deepened when Pakistan delayed their team bus, fuelling speculation they might refuse to play. With the UAE clash being a virtual knockout for a Super Four spot, a boycott would have meant automatic elimination.

The standoff finally eased late on September 17, when Pycroft apologised to the Pakistan camp, calling the September 14 incident a “miscommunication.” The ICC also signalled its willingness to hold an inquiry into whether any code of conduct violation had taken place. The match went ahead, but only after a one-hour delay.

“The ICC’s match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team,” a PCB statement said. “Andy Pycroft had barred the captains of India and Pakistan from shaking hands during their match. The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly reacted to Andy Pycroft’s actions. Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised.”

Behind the scenes, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), acting as the de facto hosts of the tournament, played a key role in brokering a compromise. Sources indicated that Richie Richardson, the other ICC referee on duty, would take charge of Pakistan’s game against the UAE, though Pycroft remains on the panel for other fixtures.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also consulted government officials in Islamabad before returning to Lahore for a late-night meeting with board members to decide on the next steps.

By Wednesday evening, optimism grew that Pakistan would remain in the tournament. Their team bus eventually left for the ground, easing fears of a boycott.