Pakistan's ₹140 Crore Gamble: Will PCB Pull Out of Asia Cup 2025?

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup 2025, but this on-field defeat sparked a major uproar after the match. The Indian team refused to shake hands with Pakistani players after the victory, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to file an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and threaten to withdraw from the tournament, calling it an insult.

When Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was asked about the decision, he gave a to-the-point answer that made India's stance clear. He said, "Some things are above sportsmanship. We dedicate this victory to those killed in the Pulwama attack and to our armed forces." Suryakumar also revealed that the decision wasn't just the team's, but had the full support of both the Indian government and the BCCI. He said, "We just came to play and gave our answer on the field."

Feeling insulted, the PCB approached the ICC with a demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft. However, the ICC flatly rejected Pakistan's demand. Interestingly, the ICC's response was signed by ICC General Manager and former PCB CEO Wasim Khan, further angering Pakistan.

Now, the PCB has threatened to boycott the 2025 Asia Cup if their demands are not met. However, this decision could prove very costly for Pakistan. According to a report, if Pakistan withdraws from the tournament, it will suffer a direct financial loss of $16 million, or approximately ₹1.4 billion (approximately ₹1.4 billion). This would be a significant blow to the PCB, which is already struggling financially, and could impact everything from player salaries to the organization of domestic cricket. This incident has once again escalated tensions in cricketing relations between India and Pakistan.