Former Team India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for his behavior during the Asia Cup 2025 at the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The famous batsman questioned his complaint on the lack of handshake and said that it is mandatory to join hands in cricket.
The controversy began when Suryakumar Yadav’s Indian team refused to join hands with Pakistan after their group-phase match. Subsequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board sent several emails to the ICC to request the removal of Andy Picroft. He accused Picroft of reducing the situation on the field.
There is nothing in rules books that say that handshakes are mandatory – Sunil Gavaskar
While writing in his column for Sportstar, Sunil Gavaskar questioned the PCB objection to India and did not join hands with Pakistan. He said that the players can follow their own customs and said that the ICC took the right decision to dismiss the complaint.
“The PCB was difficult to complain about it, because there is nothing in the rules books that say that handshakes are mandatory. There are many previous examples in various sports where opponents have struggled, not shaken hands after the end of their match. The ICC ignored the protest to a large extent, if one was made one according to media reports,” Gavaskar wrote.
India and Pakistan faced each other for the first time during the Group-Charan match after the Pahalgam terror attack. Fans and former cricketers urged the BCCI to boycott the match.
Suryakumar Yadav joined hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Aga in the toss. After the match, India’s players also left the handshek.
It will be interesting to see if any action … – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar said that the Pakistani team left the mandatory pre-matched media session, saying that any assistant staff members could participate. He said that it remains to be seen whether any action will be taken to ignore this necessary protocol.
“The Pakistani party needs to avoid compulsory media meat on the eve of the match. They did not need to send the captain, players or coaches. None of the big assistant employees could meet the media. It did not happen, and it would be interesting to see if any action is mandatory.”
The ICC did not accept any request of PCB. In particular, the board threatened to withdraw from the Asia Cup. However, the match between Pakistan and the UAE was postponed for an hour, and the PCB decided to continue in the tournament despite the removal of Andy Picroft.
He organized a game for ransom – Sunil Gavaskar
The cricketer-turn-commentator slammed the PCB to delay the match against the UAE, calling it unacceptable to organize the game “to give ransom”. He said that two days after losing to India, but still postponed the beginning of an hour.
“The other thing that leaves a sour taste in the mouth is catching the game and starting with an hour late. If the PCB had any problem to discuss the match referee Andy Picroft, India had two all day of loss and before the game against the UAE, in which not everyone was kept in suspense.
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