The “no-handshake controversy” between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 has taken yet another dramatic turn. In an attempt to defend its stance, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a mute video showing match referee Andy Pycroft in conversation with captain Salman Ali Agha, coach Mike Hesson, and a PCB official. The board suggested that Pycroft had apologized for the incident.
But instead of convincing cricket fans, the clip—with no audio—turned into a meme festival on X (formerly Twitter). Users across India and abroad poked fun at PCB’s desperate attempt, calling it “proof straight out of a silent film era.”
🚨 Video clip of match referee Andy Pycroft apologising to Pakistan’s manager and captain. pic.twitter.com/VnBKM6ePBa
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 17, 2025
The video quickly went viral across X (Twitter) and Instagram, but not in the way PCB expected. Fans questioned how an apology could be proven without sound. Indian supporters mocked it as a “silent film stunt,” while others sarcastically asked if PCB had started a side business in mute cinema.
Audio?? pic.twitter.com/0BfCGmdVGO
— Neha (@nneha04) September 17, 2025
here's the clear unmuted video clip of the match referee "Andy Pycroft" meeting with Pakistan's manager released by ICC on their website#PAKvsUAE #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/T3NnPVJvtk
— Ashutosh (@Ashutosh1274) September 17, 2025
Here is the video with audio https://t.co/yYC7Uq0PF8 pic.twitter.com/Q6ak7ZNv7m
— Honest Cricket Lover (@Honest_Cric_fan) September 17, 2025
Pakistanis thought we Indians wouldn’t track down the unmuted video of match referee Andy Pycroft speaking with Pakistan’s manager and captain. Here’s the conversation that actually took place. pic.twitter.com/8ZPyIXlm72
— Meru (@MeruOnX) September 17, 2025
Real Conversation between Pakistan and Andy pycroft pic.twitter.com/4zcU0IwfPY
— Rishi Gurjar (@Rishikivani) September 18, 2025
pic.twitter.com/G2QnxHRSK3
— V V. Pande (@vvpande57) September 18, 2025
PCB at 6.00 pm : Remove Andy Pycroft as match referee or we boycott 🧐
— CS Naveen Sahoo (@CSNAVEENSAHOO) September 18, 2025
ICC : Then, pay the fine of $16M
Pakistan at 8.30 pm : Standing at the toss with match referee Andy Pycroft
This is Pakistani "AUKAT" pic.twitter.com/hhGVff7bIC
One user wrote, “If there’s no audio, how do you know it’s an apology? Looks more like a random chat.” Another quipped, “PCB should win an Oscar for silent movies.”
The saga started on 14 September 2025 after India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai. Following the match, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates refused to shake hands with Pakistani players, citing solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam attack. The incident angered PCB, which accused India of violating the spirit of the game and filed a formal complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Pakistan went a step further by demanding referee Andy Pycroft’s removal, threatening to withdraw from the tournament if their demand was not met. The UAE vs Pakistan match even started an hour late due to PCB’s protests.
According to Indian media reports, Pycroft never offered an apology but simply met the Pakistan camp to clarify the “misunderstanding.” Sources confirmed that the referee stood by his actions, and there was no question of him apologizing for something that wasn’t against the rules.
The ICC has meanwhile stated that it will review the matter under its code of conduct but has not indicated any wrongdoing by India or Pycroft.
As the Asia Cup 2025 heads towards its knockout stage, the controversy has only added more tension to the already fiery India vs Pakistan rivalry. With the final potentially bringing both teams face-to-face again, fans are now wondering if PCB will escalate the issue further — or if the trolling will force them to step back.
