Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Sep 21: As India gear up to face Pakistan again in the Asia Cup 2025, the off-field drama of the “no-handshake” saga continues to make headlines. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has sharply criticised Pakistan for blaming match referee Andy Pycroft over the controversy instead of focusing on their on-field performance.

Speaking on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said India had already informed officials of their decision to skip the customary handshake in the previous clash. “Andy Pycroft actually saved everybody from seeing such a poor spectacle,” he remarked. “After all this drama, you lost the match. You didn’t lose because we didn’t shake hands. Please go and find out what you can actually improve.”

Pakistan had delayed their UAE match by an hour while demanding Pycroft’s removal, but the ICC stood firm. “He’s not a schoolteacher. He can’t go and bring Surya and say, ‘Come shake hands.’ That’s not his job,” Ashwin noted, adding that if he were Pycroft, Pakistan should be apologising to him instead.

With Suryakumar Yadav’s men set to meet Salman Ali Agha’s side again, the contest promises not only intense cricket but also renewed spotlight on the handshake controversy.