Lahore: President of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, said that the honor of the country had remained intact during the handshake controversy which broke out after the match of the ACC Men Asia Cup 2025 at ACC.
Naqvi, flanked by former presidents Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi, told journalists from the Gaddafi stadium that the referee of the match based in Zimbabwe, Andy Pycroft, had officially apologized to the national captain Saliman Alima Ali Agha, the coach and the team leader, recognizing the concerns raised by the side.
“Not time ago, the match referee apologized to the captain and team leader. We also made an official request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to investigate the violations that took place in the September 14 match,” said Naqvi.
“I have consulted the former presidents Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja in the matter. Thank God, the honor of Pakistan has been preserved, and now we expect the team to focus on their performance,” he added.
The former president and commentator of the PCB, Ramiz Raja, praised the development, calling him a “victory for Pakistan” and urging all the stakeholders to focus on cricket rather than on off -scope distractions.
“This is a victory for Pakistan. Whatever the injury, the emphasis must now return to the team’s performance. The cricket must remain cricket, not a political platform. Everyone’s attention should be on the game; the team must deliver on the field,” said Raja.
He also questioned the officer, pointing out: “Andy Pycroft showed a bias in favor of the Indian team.”
Najam Sethi reiterated the PCB’s long -standing position: “The PCB has always argued that politics should not have its place in sport.”
The press conference followed by Pycroft apologies for the handshake that occurred during the ACC Men Asia Asia Cup 2025 blockbuster against India.
According to the PCB, Pycroft described the incident following poor communication. The ICC has indicated its desire to conduct an official investigation into the alleged violation of the code of conduct.
“The ICC match referee, Andy Pycroft, apologized to the manager and captain of the Pakistani cricket team,” said the PCB. “He had forbidden the captains of India and Pakistan to shake hands during the match. The PCB reacted strongly to its actions. The ICC has now expressed its desire to investigate. “
Meanwhile, the national team and the support staff arrived at the stadium after receiving the PCB authorization.
Pycroft, which the PCB held responsible for the mismanagement of the handshake incident, would have previously left the ICC headquarters in Dubai.
