In a shocking move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended Usman Wahla, the Director of International Cricket, after he failed to act promptly in handling the handshake controversy that erupted during the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 game in Dubai on September 14.
The handshake saga has created confusion and negative headlines after India won the Asia Cup 2025 game by seven wickets against Pakistan in Dubai. The scandal, which drew widespread criticism, has now cost Usman Wahla his position.
PCB suspends Usman Wahla over handshake controversy after India vs Pakistan clash
Wahla was responsible for making sure everything ran smoothly, but he couldn’t take action quickly enough to address the issue or take timely action against the match referee.
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As the Indians left the Pakistanis embarrassed by refusing to shake hands with them, the PCB decided to suspend Wahla. The PCB is keen on protecting its reputation and enforcing accountability.
🚨 BREAKING: Usman Wahla (Director, International Cricket, Pakistan) has been suspended over mishandling the ‘Handshake Gate’.
Reports @rohitjuglan
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) September 15, 2025
🚨 PCB has suspended Director Usman Wahla for not taking timely action against the match referee and over the handshake issue. (Qadir Khawaja) pic.twitter.com/JIX0GNodL3
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) September 15, 2025
India’s shocking walk-off without handshake
After an impressive seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the group match, the Indian team shocked everyone by walking off the field without shaking hands with their opponents in Dubai. This unexpected move sparked anger, disappointment, and heated debates across both nations.
As soon as the match ended, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav led his team directly into the dressing room. Some Pakistani players remained on the field, waiting for the customary handshake, but that could happen. Even Pakistani players approached the Indian dressing room, but they didn’t respond.
These revelations stunned the entire cricket world. Earlier, at the pre-match toss, Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav avoided a handshake after the match referee instructed the same. After the match, the Indian captain admitted that their bold action was linked to the tragic Pahalgam attack.
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India’s Pahalgam attack tribute turns into controversy
Earlier this year, a terror attack in Pahalgam had claimed 26 lives and left many injured. The Indian team decided to stand in solidarity with the victims and their families by skipping the handshake. Suryakumar even dedicated this victory to the Indian armed forces who responded to the attack.
Later, Pakistan’s captain boycotted the post-match presentation ceremony, which was organized by an Indian host, Sanjay Manjrekar. After the controversy, many Pakistani players cried that cricket should not be mixed with politics, while others felt Indian players were forced to do so.
However, this gesture did not sit well with Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) immediately registered a complaint with both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), calling India’s behavior “against the spirit of the game” and “unsportsmanlike.”
PCB demands Andy Pycroft’s sacking!
The PCB went further by demanding that match referee Andy Pycroft be removed from his position, blaming him for not managing the situation properly. Officials from Pakistan pointed out that the match referee had asked both teams not to shake hands at the toss, but no such instruction had been given for the end of the match.
This incident questioned the fairness and professionalism. This handshake controversy has now become one of the biggest talking points in the world, fueling emotions, debates, and diplomatic tensions. Asia Cup 2025 is now trending on social media after this episode.
