For their protest and delayed arrival to the Asia Cup 2025 match against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on September 17 (Wednesday), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan cricket team were criticised by former Indian spinner Murali Kartik, who called them “childish and churlish.”
The dispute started after Suryakumar Yadav and his team refused to shake hands with their opponents during Pakistan’s last match against India on September 14. Disappointed by the event, the PCB accused India of violating cricket’s ethos in a letter to the ICC.
Additionally, the board accused match referee Andy Pycroft of letting India skip the handshake and filed a complaint against him. The ICC turned down the PCB’s desire to have him removed.
For their match against the UAE, Pakistan’s players and support staff first refused to get on the team bus in protest, which resulted in an hour-long delay. In the end, they decided to play, with Pycroft remaining the referee.
Right now, the only term that comes to mind is churlish and childish. There is nothing else that comes to mind. Please go ahead if you want to take a stand. I believe that everyone should take a stand in life and then have the conviction to follow through on it,” Kartik told Cricbuzz.
The PCB would have been subject to severe repercussions, such as arbitrations, legal issues, and a hefty fine, had Pakistan withdrew from the competition.
“Just because there might be a financial implication when you see it, which is 16 million US dollars over a handshake story or something similar.” I am at a loss for ideas. I believe that kindergarteners, including today’s kindergarteners, do not act in this manner,” Kartik continued.
Prior to the UAE match, Pycroft reportedly apologised to team manager and captain Salman Ali Agha, according to the PCB. However, it was “more of a clarification than an apology,” according to a Cricbuzz article.
Pakistan secured their spot in the Super Four after defeating the United Arab Emirates by 41 runs on the pitch. Their next match is against India on Sunday, September 21.
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