The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to dismiss the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), had accused Pycroft of asking the captains not to shake hands at the toss, a gesture that did not happen either before or after the match. However, sources suggest Pycroft may have been acting on instructions from within the ACC, as the ICC’s role ends after appointing officials in consultation with the organisers. Critics argue PCB should investigate who within the ACC directed Pycroft instead of blaming the ICC. Despite threats to withdraw from the tournament, PCB’s demand is unlikely to be met, raising doubts about their participation. Observers note the controversy appears more about optics than substance, as handshakes are not mandatory. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan are set to train at the ICC Academy on September 16.

High voltage drama

In the match against Pakistan, after finishing off the 128-run chase with a huge six, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked off the field without shaking hands with the opponents.

Post match, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav expressed solidarity with Pahalgam terror attack victims and dedicated the win to the Indian Armed Forces and lauded their efforts in combating the Pakistan-sponsored terror, most notably the launch of Operation Sindoor in the aftermath of April's Pahalgam terror attacks.

"Just wanted to say something. Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all, and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile," Suryakumar said after the win in the post-match interview.

Following that in the press-conference, on being asked on handshake being against the sportsman spirit, Suryakumar had replied, " I feel a few things in life are ahead of sportsman spirit. I have told it at the presentation as well. We stand with all the victims of the Pahalagam terror attack. We stand with their families also and express our solidarity. As I said, we dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor. As they continue to inspire us all, we will try our best to, whenever given the opportunity, inspire them as well if possible."As per ARY News, Pakistan has called for an immediate removal of the match referee and lodged a formal complaint with the sport's global governing body, emphasising that Pycroft's actions undermine the spirit of cricket and violate the established protocols. Following the match, skipper Agha chose not to attend the post-match presentation, and for the press conference, head coach Mike Hesson was sent to face the media. During the presser, Hesson broke the silence about Salman's absence while expressing his disappointment about India refraining from engaging in the customary handshake when his side made attempts towards it. Hesson did not directly pin Salman's absence due to the incident that took place after the match, but alluded to it obliquely.

"We were ready to shake hands. We are obviously disappointed that our opposition did not do that. We sort of went over there to shake hands, but they had already gone to the changing room. That was a disappointing way for the match to finish. We were willing to shake hands. We were keen to shake hands at the end of the match, but that did not happen, and that was pretty much the end of it," Hesson said.

One-sided match

Pakistan, after opting to bat first, collapsed to 6/2 before a brief 39-run stand between Sahibzada Farhan (40) and Fakhar Zaman (17) steadied the innings. India’s bowlers dominated, reducing Pakistan to 97/8, but a late cameo from Shaheen Afridi (33* off 16) lifted them to 127/9 in 20 overs. Kuldeep Yadav starred with 3/18, while Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets each. In reply, Abhishek Sharma’s quickfire 31 gave India momentum, followed by a 56-run partnership between Suryakumar Yadav (47*) and Tilak Varma (31). India chased the target with seven wickets and 25 balls left, topping Group A.

Cricket fans across Asia are closely following the developments after the controversy that ensued following the India-Pakistan clash. (With inputs from Agencies)