HomeSportsCricketAsia Cup 2025: Sunil Gavaskar tears into Pakistan for ‘holding match to ransom’ in handshake controversy
Trending Topics

Asia Cup 2025: Sunil Gavaskar tears into Pakistan for ‘holding match to ransom’ in handshake controversy

Sunil Gavaskar accused Pakistan of holding the Asia Cup group stage match against UAE hostage and harshly criticised them.

September 25, 2025 / 21:54 IST
Story continues below Advertisement
Asia Cup 2025: Sunil Gavaskar tears into Pakistan for ‘holding match to ransom’ in handshake controversy (Photo- AP/AFP)
Asia Cup 2025: Sunil Gavaskar tears into Pakistan for ‘holding match to ransom’ in handshake controversy (Photo- AP/AFP)

The Asia Cup 2025 group stage encounter between Pakistan and UAE witnessed a delay by an hour from its scheduled start due to the 'handshake' controversy and has infuriated legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. After India captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with his Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha during the group stage match, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) urged that match referee Andy Pycroft be removed. According to reports, Pakistan even threatened to pullout from the crucial match against UAE, a virtual eliminator between the two sides, if Pycroft was not removed.

However, PCB chose to delay their team's departure from the hotel after ICC rejected their demands. And following a meeting with Pycroft and ICC officials, the game proceeded, albeit an hour later than planned. Gavaskar accused Pakistan of holding the game hostage and harshly criticised them.

Story continues below Advertisement

Also Read | Jasprit Bumrah rips apart Mohammad Kaif with cold 'inaccurate before inaccurate again' jibe

"The other thing that left a sour taste in the mouth is holding up the game and starting it one hour late. If the PCB had any issues to discuss with and about the match referee Andy Pycroft, then it had two full days after their loss to India and before the game against the UAE in which to do so," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.