Even though India won the Asia Cup 2025 group stage match against Pakistan by a commanding seven wickets, the consequences are still being realised. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly getting ready to file a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in response to Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav’s post-match dedication of the victory to the military and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which has caused tension across the border.
A PCB official, quoted by Telecom Asia Sport, said that Surya’s remarks were “political in nature” and could constitute a breach of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which bars players from making political or religious statements on the field of play. The PCB has until Saturday to formally submit its complaint.
Politics overtake cricket at Asia Cup
Suryakumar’s refusal to shake hands with Salman Agha of Pakistan during the actual toss set off the controversy, which the Indian team repeated following the game. The ‘handshake saga’ will once again be under the scanner when the two teams take field on Sunday in the Super Four stage.
SKY went one step further in his post-match remarks, praising the Indian military for executing Operation Sindoor in retaliation and dedicating the victory to “the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.” He presented the win as a “proper reply” to Pakistan and emphasised that “few things are ahead of sportsman spirit.“
While such words drew applause back home, the PCB sees them as problematic. Sources said their legal team is weighing options under Clause 3.1.2 of the ICC Code, which allows national boards to raise formal complaints within seven days of an incident.
This is not the first time cricket has grappled with political expression. England’s Moeen Ali was warned in 2014 for wearing wristbands supporting Gaza, Usman Khawaja was stopped from sporting shoes with pro-Palestine slogans in 2023, and India’s MS Dhoni was asked to remove gloves bearing an army insignia during the 2019 World Cup.
