The Asia Cup 2025 has become a trending topic across cricket circles, but this time the buzz is less about the players and more about the PCB’s actions. The recent Pakistan boycott Asia Cup 2025 drama ahead of their Pakistan vs UAE match has taken centre stage, with fans and pundits questioning whether these protest tactics are genuine or just theatrics. At the heart of the issue lies the much-debated no-handshake controversy, which has yet again stirred up tensions between cricket boards and left many wondering about the PCB’s priorities.
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The Backstory：Why Pakistan Threatened a Boycott?
The Pakistan boycott Asia Cup 2025 threat was triggered by Pakistan’s anger over the match referee assignment for their clash against the UAE. The PCB accused Andy Pycroft, the ICC-appointed referee, of mishandling the no-handshake controversy during the high-voltage clash against India.
Related Article：No Handshakes, Closed Doors：Inside the Cold Finish of India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025
BCCI Official said “If you read the rule book, there is no specification about shaking hands with the opposition. It is a goodwill gesture and a sort of convention, not law, that is followed globally across the sporting spectrum”. [PTI] pic.twitter.com/iFiEIXVqqi
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 16, 2025
That match itself was a one-sided affair, with India cruising to a seven-wicket win after restricting Pakistan to just 127/9 in 20 overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Bumrah starred with the ball, taking three wickets apiece, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav anchored the chase with an unbeaten 47 (35). India sealed the game in just 15.5 overs, a result that added salt to Pakistan’s wounds. The Pakistan vs UAE match that followed was therefore crucial for the team’s survival in the tournament.
🚨 Cricbuzz understands that match referee Andy Pycroft reached out to Salman Agha at the toss, requesting him 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 with Suryakumar 😲
PCB is understood to be 𝐦𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐝 with Pycroft’s approach #indvspak2025 #PAKvIND #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/rYrHKerDes
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 15, 2025
Pakistan claimed Pycroft had instructed skipper Salman Ali Agha to avoid a handshake and not exchange team sheets with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, a decision that spiralled into a media frenzy. In protest, the Pakistan team stayed back at their hotel, delaying their departure for the crucial Pakistan vs UAE match, which was pushed back by an hour. However, the ICC stood firm, issuing a six-point rebuttal rejecting PCB’s claims, further escalating tensions.
The Backdown：What Forced Pakistan’s Hand?
Despite their strong public stance, the PCB eventually had to call off the Pakistan boycott Asia Cup 2025 move after a tense standoff on Wednesday. The situation escalated when the Pakistan team refused to leave the Grosvenor Hotel in Dubai, delaying their departure for the crucial Pakistan vs UAE match.Match referee Andy Pycroft, present at the Dubai International Stadium, had to leave the venue under heavy security and was called to the ICC headquarters nearby as the deadlock dragged on.
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The ICC rejected a second PCB complaint and issued a detailed six-point rebuttal. It stated that the PCB’s report lacked supporting evidence and that the board had declined to submit player statements. The ICC emphasised there was “no case to answer” against Pycroft, whose actions followed ACC Venue Manager directions to preserve the sanctity of the toss. They further clarified that handshake and team-sheet protocols were not the Match Referee’s responsibility but that of tournament organisers and managers. In a pointed remark, the ICC suggested that the PCB should direct its grievances to those who made the actual decision to avoid the handshake.
Pakistan Cricket Update 🚨
The PCB has requested the Asia Cup organisers to postpone the UAE-Pakistan match by an hour – hoping to get a positive outcome in the talks.
The team has now left the hotel and is on the way to the ground.
Further developments awaited…… pic.twitter.com/6gMuFkLSkT
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 17, 2025
Financial and reputational stakes forced the PCB’s hand. With USD 16 million in broadcasting and participation revenue at risk and the possibility of ACC sanctions looming, the board had little choice but to end the protest. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi consulted former chairmen Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi before publicly announcing that the team would depart for the stadium. The move effectively ended the standoff, but the no-handshake controversy continues to dominate discussion. For now, Pakistan had to play, prioritising survival in the tournament over confrontation.
PCB’s Habit of Empty Threats
The Pakistan boycott Asia Cup 2025 incident is not the first time the PCB has attempted to strong-arm international cricket authorities. Over the past few years, the PCB has repeatedly threatened boycotts, including talks of pulling out of ICC tournaments hosted by India and demanding neutral venues for bilateral series. In each case, the threats created headlines but eventually fizzled out when commercial and sporting realities set in.
The no-handshake controversy and the delayed Pakistan vs UAE match only add to the perception that the PCB is quick to escalate but slow to deliver on its ultimatums. Fans and cricket boards alike are beginning to see these statements as posturing rather than policy. The ICC and ACC have largely maintained a firm stance, refusing to give in to pressure, forcing the PCB to retreat.
Final Words
Such repetitive behaviour has a cost. Constant threats risk isolating Pakistan from the global cricketing community and undermining its credibility in negotiations. If the PCB continues this pattern, the focus will keep shifting from on-field performances to off-field politics, something that benefits neither the players nor the fans.
🚨 𝑹𝑬𝑷𝑶𝑹𝑻𝑺 🚨
ICC is likely to take action against Pakistan for multiple rule violations prior to their Asia Cup match against UAE!
According to reports, PCB has received an email from ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta, detailing Pakistan’s violations, including filming in restricted… pic.twitter.com/S3ykHO5sf3
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) September 18, 2025
Instead of headline-grabbing gestures like the Pakistan boycott Asia Cup 2025 drama or fuming over the no-handshake controversy, Pakistan cricket would do better to concentrate on winning games, including matches as crucial as the Pakistan vs UAE match and building a positive narrative for the sport in the country.
