Pakistan Cricket Board's Handling of Handshake Controversy Criticized by Former Cricketer: PCB Accused of Misdirection and Using Wrong Evidence

NEW DELHI: As the debate around the handshake controversy between India national cricket team and Pakistan cricket team continues to gain momentum, former Rashid Latif has questioned the approach of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), saying the board is “going in the wrong direction” by targeting match referee Andy Pycroft instead of addressing the actual issue.Latif said the 'handshake issue' cannot be treated as a breach of conduct because it is not mentioned anywhere in the playing conditions or the code of conduct.“A handshake was necessary. It’s a tradition that has continued over the years. When we used to play, there was tension even back then. Even in those times, despite the tension, we used to visit each other’s rooms — and players still do that. They must still be doing it now as well,” he said.The PCB had lodged a complaint against match referee Pycroft to the ICC, alleging that he asked Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav to skip the customary handshake at the toss.Explaining why PCB’s argument against Pycroft is misplaced, Latif pointed to past examples involving Usman Khawaja and Moeen Ali.Moeen was warned by the ICC in 2014 for wearing wristbands with slogans such as "Save Gaza" and "Free Palestine," while Khawaja was issued a reprimand by the ICC in 2023 for displaying a black armband with a support message for Gaza Strip.“Now, coming to Andy Pycroft — when a case goes forward, you need evidence. You need by-laws. In the by-laws, section 2.1.1, it is nowhere written that a handshake is mandatory. So what stance can we even take there?,” Latif said.“Where PCB should have raised the issue, they didn’t. In 2023, Moeen Ali and Usman Khawaja were fined 25 percent and reprimanded that they cannot display logos supporting Palestine or Gaza Strip, and that they cannot use religious or political banners. This is the issue PCB should have raised.“Andy Pycroft is not the issue. The issue is that military matters were mentioned, political statements were made, and talk of attacks was done. This is what PCB should have raised. ICC would support them in this regard.“A handshake is just a gesture, not a rule. In a case, you need evidence,” he said.