 "Suryakumar Yadav talks to Shivam Dube during the match against Pakistan. Image: Reuters")
The Asia Cup 2025 clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai is continuing to make headlines even after so many days. A fresh report has emerged claiming that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering a formal complaint against India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, who stirred controversy by refusing to shake hands with Pakistan players and making a political statement after their huge win last week.
Suryakumar dedicated India’s 7-wicket win over Pakistan to “armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor” and expressed support for families affected by the Pahalgam terror attack in April. After hitting the winning runs, SKY and his batting partner Shivam Dube walked off the field and went straight to the dressing room with the entire team, as Pakistan players were left stranded for post-match handshakes.
PCB mulls complaint against Suryakumar Yadav
According to NDTV, the PCB views SKY’s comments as a political statement on a sporting platform, and is planning to lodge a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The global body has reportedly given PCB until Sunday to file a formal complaint, if it really wants to do it.
On Wednesday, September 17, the PCB failed in its attempt to pressure the ICC into removing Andy Pycroft as match referee from the Asia Cup 2025. Pycroft officiated the match between India and Pakistan last week, and the PCB claimed that he approached their captain, Salman Ali Agha, at the toss and asked him not to shake hands with the Indian skipper.
The PCB said that Pycroft went against the spirit of the game by siding with India on the handshake row. They requested the ICC to remove the former Zimbabwe cricketer as match referee from the Asia Cup 2025, but the apex body rejected their request. The PCB wrote a second letter to the ICC on Wednesday and even threatened to pull out of the tournament if their demand was not met.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan team was asked to stay in their hotel and not go to the Dubai stadium for their match against the UAE as the PCB held a meeting to decide their next step. Eventually, the Pakistan board gave in and allowed the team to depart for the stadium to play the must-win group-stage game, which was officiated by Pycroft.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPCB later issued a statement, claiming that Pycroft has apologised to Salman Agha and their team manager over the handshake row. The drama has now shifted to Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav as India get ready to take on Pakistan for the second time in this tournament. They will play their Super 4 game on Sunday, September 21.