The handshake saga refuses to slow down, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a mute video on Thursday, September 18, to yet again be in the limelight. The video in question shows Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, head coach Mike Hesson, and a PCB official having a conversation with the match referee Andy Pycroft. The incident dates back to September 14, to the Group A India vs Pakistan clash in Dubai.
Notably, the arch-rivals faced off for the first time after the Pahalgam terror attack in April earlier this year. While the match turned out to be a one-sided affair, with India clinching a seven-wicket victory, off-field attention grabbed much of the spotlight with PCB accusing match referee Pycroft of telling skippers Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha not to greet each other and exchange team sheets during the toss.
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However, the drama did not end there as after the match Surya, team players and coaching staff refused a customary handshake, with the India skipper stating in the post-match presentation that his team gave a 'proper reply'. After the handshake snub, Agha did not attend the post-match presentation, with Hesson saying it was a 'flow and process' response. PCB later dropped an official mail to ICC, demanding that Pycroft be removed from the Asia Cup.
ICC gives blunt response to PCB over handshake saga
ICC took Pycroft's stand and firmly said to PCB that the match referee was following the rules and regulations to T. However, PCB did not let it go and yet again sent an email to ICC. However, ICC bluntly told PCB that they did not have any role to play in the handshake saga and told them to deal with ACC.
Despite PCB being hellbent on boycotting the Asia Cup if Pycroft continued as match referee, Pakistan played their last group fixture match against the UAE on Wednesday, September 17. They won the game and have advanced through to the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup. However, the comedy continues off-field with the 'Mute video' getting a lot of sarcastic comments and funny memes.
