“All This Drama..” - R Ashwin Slams Pakistan Over Ongoing Controversy | India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Super 4

The Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 stage is in full swing and as always the biggest talking point remains the high-volatge clash between India and Pakistan. The two arch-rivals are facing each other for the second time in this tournament but the off-field debates, controversies and drama will be same, Ashwin's strong reaction to the handshake controversy revives the debate again.

The Former Indian Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, who is one of the greatest spin bowlers in world cricket, has criticized Pakistan and described it as "all this drama" around the ongoing controversy between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Match Referee Andy Pycroft.

What did Ashwin Say?

On his Youtube channel, Ash ki Baat, Ashwin came in support for match referee Andy Pycroft who was accussed by PCB for siding with Indian Team over handshake issue. Ashwin slammed Pakistan for using Pycroft as a scapegoat through this controversy.

Ashwin said, "Andy Pycroft actually saved everybody from seeing such a poor spectacle. India informed the match referee in advance - this is our decision and we will follow it. After all this drama, you lost the match. So what are you complaining about? You didn't lose because we didn't shake hands. Please focus on what you can improve."

https://x.com/kirikraja/status/1969460123962925100

What is this controversy about?

On September 14, 2025, India and Pakistan were set to play their first game of the tournament, but such high-voltage games will not end simply without any debate, drama, or controversy. During the toss, India's skipper Suryakumar Yadav didn't shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha.

After winning the match against Pakistan, Indian players went to dressing room without shaking hands with any of the Pakistani players. After this, Pakistan's skipper, Salman Ali Agha, skipped the post-match conference.

One thing needs to be mentioned here, Indian Players were told by the government and team management not to shake hands. The Match referee was told just 4 minutes before the toss by the Indian Team management about the handshake thing.

But, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demanded that match referee, Andy Pycroft to be left out from officiating in the Pakistan games in the future. ICC simply rejected the demand as there was no rule or law broken by Pycroft. The hanshake between players before the toss or after the match is just a sportsmanship.

Ashwin speaks in support of the Match Referee.

He added, "He (Andy Pycroft) is not a schoolteacher. He's not a principal. he can't go and bring surya (Suryakumar Yadav) and say, 'Come shake hands.' That's not his job. What exactly is Pycroft's fault here?"

However, Andy Pycroft will officiating in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match between India and Pakistan on September 21, 2025, which will be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and the match will start around 8:00 PM (IST).

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