“You are going to suffer” - Ex-Indian cricketer slams Pakistani team for their boycott drama in Asia Cup 2025

Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal has sharply lashed out at the Pakistan cricket team, led by Salman Ali Agha, for their off-field drama after the Indian team decided not to shake hands with their players on Sunday, September 14, in Dubai

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Notably, after India bagged a dominant seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the group stage, Suryakumar Yadav and his players decided not to shake hands with Pakistani players, which didn’t go down well with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Later, PCB was quick to lodge an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), demanding to replace the match referee Andy Pycroft for violating the code of conduct. Moreover, they decided to boycott their UAE clash in the group stage.

Nevertheless, they eventually had to participate in their clash against the UAE. On the other hand, the ICC quickly rejected PCB’s claims and Andy Pycroft continued to be the match referee.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, Madan Lal has asserted that there is no such law for the cricketers to mandatorily shake their hands with the opposition players. Also, he questioned the reason behind PCB’s demand to sack Andy Pycroft.

"Pakistan have surrendered because their demand was not genuine. First of all, why should we shake hands with them, it is not mentioned in any rulebook. Secondly, why should match referee Andy Pycroft be sacked. Pakistan have so many people interfering in one matter and if you see the condition of PCB, there's no board. They take a decision just like that and that's not right because at international level, you have to be extremely sure whenever you take any decision," Madan Lal said on India Today.

"If you are not going to play, then who will suffer? You are going to suffer. If Pakistan would have boycotted the match against UAE, they would have caused an irreparable damage to their cricket,” he added.

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