The tension between India and Pakistan's cricket teams resurfaced once again - this time at the Women's World Cup 2025 in Colombo
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed match referee Andy Pycroft amid Pakistan's criticism in the post-match handshake controversy, saying the Zimbabwean official is not a "school teacher" and was only doing his job to avoid an unnecessary spectacle.
Pakistan's reported threat to pull out from the ongoing Asia Cup after demanding ICC match referee Andy Pycroft's removal won't be particularly easy
In a post on X, Naqvi rejected reports claiming that he, at the ACC AGM on Tuesday, apologised to BCCI officials for his actions at the presentation ceremony on Sunday when he walked away with the trophy after the Indians refused to accept it from him.
'The reasons being given for not having our COO and tournament director on stage for the final presentation make no sense to us.'
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to take a firm stand against India's refusal to accept the Asia Cup trophy from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board's chief operating officer Sumair Ahmed has blamed the ICC for the mismanagement at the final presentation ceremony of the Champions Trophy in Dubai.
The BCCI took strong exception to his act of walking away with the trophy and vowed to raise the matter in an ICC meeting next month.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to investigate a case involving a UK-based Pakistani agent, Mughiz Ahmad Shearachiikh, who has been suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaching its anti-corruption code. Shearachiikh and his company, International Cricketers Association (ICA), had signed several centrally contracted Pakistani players last year.
It has been reliably learnt that late on Tuesday evening, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent another mail to the ICC reiterating the demand to remove Pycroft from all its games but as of now, it hasn't been obliged by the world body.
Afridi's selection means that the team management has opted to play two left-arm spinners in the second Test as he will pair with Noman Ali, who is already established and also picked up a 10-wicket haul in Pakistan's 94-run win in the first game in Lahore.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has blamed the ICC for playing the Indian national anthem for a fraction of a second at the start of the Australia-England Champions Trophy match in Lahore.
The Men in Blue refused to take the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan Interior Minister.
Meanwhile, Pakistan team management has decided not to interact with media ahead of the Super4 contest.
Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema lodged a "formal protest" against match referee Andy Pycroft alleging that he asked both captains not to shake hands during the toss.
PCB chairman Naqvi hits back at social media trollers after stadium revamp
Captain Suryakumar Yadav has made it clear that the Indian team will not accept the Asia Cup from Mohsin Naqvi, who is both the Pakistan Cricket Board (chairman and Asian Cricket Council president, if India reaches the final and wins.
'We are pursuing this matter, about 10 days ago also we wrote a letter to the chairman of ACC, but there is no change in their stand.'
Chaudhary lauded Andy Pycroft, describing him as a seasoned ICC elite panel referee with a stellar track record and a well-known former Zimbabwean player of high repute.
The teenager, who attempted to break into the Pakistan dressing room balcony after breaching the security barriers at the Gaddafi stadium in a bid to meet with his hero Babar Azam, has been released from custody by the police after a reprimand.
A BCCI official visited the ACC headquarters in Dubai last week and asked about the silverware, who was informed by the staff that the trophy was moved to a different location in Abu Dhabi.
Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan urged the Pakistan team to showcase their anger and some competition on the field rather than being in controversies off the field,
A PCB source said that the presence of a large International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation, including broadcast, hospitality and event operations officials, is an affirmation that the event is on schedule in Pakistan.
Pakistan withdrew its pullout threat and showed up for a crucial Asia Cup game against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday but not before causing an one-hour delay.
Batter Haider Ali has been placed under criminal investigation by Greater Manchester Police following an incident during the Pakistan A team's tour of England and he has also been provisionally suspended, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy has taken a veiled dig at Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi for refusing to hand over the Asia Cup trophy to Team India in Dubai, saying that while the trophy can be withheld, nobody can take away the title of "champions" from India.
Former all-format captain Babar Azam is being tipped to make a comeback to Pakistan T20 squad while speculations are rife about the PCB deciding to replace Muhammad Rizwan as the captain of the one-day side.
Noman collected a 10-wicket haul during Pakistan's 93-run triumph over South Africa in Lahore recently and moved up four places.
'No one told me if I was part of the future plans.'
Pakistan have lodged a protest with the Asian Cricket Council over the Indian players' refusal to shake hands with them following their Asia Cup match.
This year's roster sees ten players each placed in Categories B, C, and D. Notably, no player has been selected for Category A in this cycle, the PCB said in a statement.
India has filed an official complaint with the International Cricket Council against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their provocative gestures during the two sides' Asia Cup Super 4 game in Dubai on Sunday.
BCCI demanded trophy be handed over to India, but ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi "still hasn't agreed", an ACC source.
Play domestic cricket to maintain fitness, Jagdale advises Kohli and Rohit
This time, Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana are unlikely to exchange even the most basic pleasantries.
The stadium's capacity has been increased to accommodate 35,000 fans and new hospitality areas have been built.
The PCB is upgrading the facilities at all three venues in the country as Pakistan prepares to host an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996, when they co-hosted the ODI World Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced a blanket ban on its players' participation in future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), accusing the tournament organisers of being "biased" and lacking sporting integrity.
PCB unfortunately didn't have solid support from other members on the executive board and even the ICC management didn't give them the respect they deserved.
Pakistan moved themselves into a strong position, needing eight wickets to win while South Africa are chasing an imposing target as the first Test headed for an exciting conclusion.
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