PCB suspends Usman Wahla from role as director of international cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended its Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, after he reportedly failed to act swiftly on a key communication meant for the International Cricket Council (ICC), insiders revealed on Monday.

According to sources, Wahla was relieved of his duties following delays in forwarding an official PCB letter regarding the Asia Cup handshake controversy, which has become a major flashpoint in global cricket discussions. His inaction is said to have angered the board’s top brass, prompting immediate disciplinary action.

This development comes as the PCB formally escalated the issue to both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), seeking the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

The controversy stems from Pakistan’s clash with India in Dubai, where the traditional pre-match handshake between the captains was skipped, allegedly under Pycroft’s instructions. The PCB, in its correspondence, insisted that the referee’s directive went against cricket’s traditions and violated MCC’s principles.

“The absence of handshakes before and after the match is a clear breach of the game’s customs,” the letter stated, further accusing Pycroft of neglecting his responsibilities as referee and infringing the ICC Code of Conduct.

The situation escalated after India’s seven-wicket win on Sunday. While the Indian players celebrated and returned to their dressing room, they did not acknowledge Pakistan’s lineup for the customary handshake, leaving the Pakistani squad visibly dejected. In protest, captain Salman Ali Agha opted out of attending the post-match presentation.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), voiced his disapproval on X, stressing that the board had formally registered a complaint with the ICC.
“The referee’s conduct went against the spirit of cricket and violated both the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC laws. We have demanded Andy Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi wrote.

Adding to the controversy, PCB media manager Naveed Akram Cheema raised the issue with Tournament Director Andrew Russell. Initially, Russell suggested the orders had come from the Indian cricket board, but later clarified that the directive was issued by the Indian government.