Sunil Gavaskar Slams PCB’s “Antics” in Asia Cup 2025, Urges ICC to Take Action
The Asia Cup 2025 has been dominated by off-field controversies, and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has now taken a strong stand against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its repeated antics. Gavaskar, in his column for Sportstar, said the PCB has crossed the line and urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to act against them.
PCB vs India: The Handshake Row
It all began after the India vs Pakistan group-stage clash on September 14, when Suryakumar Yadav’s Indian side chose not to shake hands with the Pakistan players. The gesture infuriated Pakistan, who filed an official complaint with the ICC, demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft.
The PCB alleged that Pycroft “failed to uphold the spirit of cricket” by allowing India to walk away. But the ICC dismissed the request, calling it a non-issue.
Unhappy with the decision, the PCB even threatened to boycott their match against the UAE, which was delayed by an hour before eventually taking place.
Gavaskar Calls PCB’s Behavior “Baffling”
Reacting to the saga, Gavaskar minced no words.
“The PCB complaining about it was hard to understand, as there is nothing in the rule books that says handshakes are mandatory. There are many previous instances in different sports where opponents have not shaken hands after a contest. The ICC quite rightly ignored the protest,” wrote Gavaskar.
The former India captain added that Pakistan’s obsession with the handshake drama diverted attention from real issues.
Skipping Mandatory Press Conference
Gavaskar also lashed out at Pakistan for skipping the pre-match media meet before their clash against UAE — a requirement under ICC regulations.
“They did not have to send the captain, players or the coach. Anyone from the large support staff could have spoken to the media. That did not happen. It will be interesting to see if any action is taken,” he said.
PCB Slammed for Delaying UAE Clash
One of Gavaskar’s biggest criticisms was for the hour-long delay in the UAE game. He said the PCB “held the game to ransom” in an attempt to extract an apology from Pycroft.
“There is simply no excuse for delaying the start of the game for an hour while haggling for an apology for something not even in the rule books. Despite the ICC clarifying no apology was given, the PCB claimed they secured one. They pounced on the words ‘regrettable miscommunication’ and twisted it,” Gavaskar remarked.
What Next?
With Pakistan already under scrutiny for multiple complaints during this Asia Cup, Gavaskar’s scathing remarks put more pressure on the ICC to step in. Whether the world body will officially act against the PCB remains to be seen, but the controversies have certainly overshadowed the cricketing spectacle.
