Pakistan Warns of Asia Cup Boycott

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has warned that it may boycott the rest of the Asia Cup 2025 if action is not taken against match referee Andy Pycroft. The issue started after Pakistan’s recent game against India in Dubai, where the referee reportedly told both teams not to shake hands after the match.

In cricket, shaking hands after a match is a sign of respect and sportsmanship. The PCB called the referee’s action disrespectful and biased, and accused him of damaging the spirit of the game.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement,

“This kind of behavior is not acceptable. We demand that the match referee be removed, or we will consider pulling out of the Asia Cup.”

The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing the referee stopping the handshake. Many fans in Pakistan are angry, and hashtags like #AsiaCupBoycott and #RemoveTheReferee are trending online.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which organizes the tournament, has not given an official response yet. However, sources say the matter is under review.

This controversy comes at a time of high political tension between India and Pakistan. After a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, some Indian groups also called for a boycott of matches involving Pakistan. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said a full boycott is not possible, as the Asia Cup is an international tournament governed by the ICC.

Cricket experts warn that if Pakistan withdraws, it could seriously impact the tournament and create more pressure on regional cricket ties. “This is not just about one match. It’s about respect, fairness, and keeping politics out of sports,” said former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif.

Now, the cricket world is waiting to see how the ACC handles the situation and whether Pakistan will stay in the tournament or walk away.