Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan unlikely to pull out of the tournament amidst Handshake row - Reports

Pakistan were miffed with India refusing to shake hands and blamed the ICC match referee for the debacle.

According to the reports, it seems unlikely that Pakistan will pull out of the rest of Asia Cup 2025. This follows the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC) after India refused to shake hands with Pakistani players during their match on Sunday in Dubai.

Additionally, they had written to the ICC to demand that match referee Andy Pycroft be fired for reportedly telling the leaders of Pakistan and India not to shake hands before, during, or after the toss.

“The PCB has complained to the ICC regarding violations by the match referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded the immediate removal of the match referee from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi, who is the PCB and ACC chief, wrote on X.

After the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) victory over Oman on Monday, India have already secured a place in the Super Four. Pakistan must win their encounter against the UAE on Wednesday. If Pakistan defeat the UAE on Sunday, they will play India again.

“ICC led by Jay Shah can..”- PCB source says Pakistan risks financial sanctions if they pull out

It is quite unlikely that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will pull out of the current Asia Cup, according to The Times of India, given the tension surrounding the “handshake drama” that took place at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday night.

“It is very unlikely that the PCB will pull out from the Asia Cup. If we do that, the ICC, led by Jay Shah, will put heavy sanctions on the PCB, and this is something our board cannot afford. The financial situation post the Champions Trophy, where all the stadiums were renovated, is not good,” a PCB source told Times of India.

India and Pakistan will train at the ICC Academy on Tuesday. Despite having separate timetables, the two squads will be at the same place to practice for their upcoming games. India will train between 6 and 9 p.m. local time, and Pakistan will train between 8 and 11 p.m.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.