Arun Dhumal On PCB's Charge (Source: @dhillow_/x.com, @IPL/x.com)
As the India-Pakistan rivalry has always excited the cricket world, the recently ended clash between those arch-rivals added more spice to their rivalry. After Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistan after the victory, things took a different turn.
After India’s bold move, the Pakistan Cricket Board cried foul, accusing the match referee. Reflecting on this issue, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal cleared the air on that.
Dhumal Reflects On PCB’s Claim
India-Pakistan ties have long been strained, but after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, tensions spilled over onto the cricket field. Crossing the border, the Cold War impacted the game of cricket as the big stage of the Asia Cup 2025 witnessed a rare scene when Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistan after defeating them by seven wickets. As the world remained stunned, Pakistan didn’t take the move lightly.
The Pakistan Cricket Board didn’t hold back after India’s bold move, demanding action and even threatening to withdraw from the tournament. Calling it a violation of the MCC’s Spirit of Cricket and ICC’s Code of Conduct, PCB accused match referee Andy Pycroft. Responding to the storm, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal stated that if the claims are proven to be valid, appropriate actions will be taken.
“The ICC will review any issues raised by Pakistan regarding the recent match, and if any official misconduct is found, appropriate action will be taken,” he said to the reporters.
The Future Of Cricket’s Most Intense Rivalry
Before the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash, calls to boycott the game swept across the nation. When the match went ahead, Team India drew heavy criticism until Suryakumar Yadav’s masterclass silenced doubts. As the India-Pakistan bilateral series won’t take place, Arun Dhumal said that the Indian government will grant visas for the Pakistan team if they need to visit the country for any tournament.
“The Indian government has decided that while bilateral matches between India and Pakistan will not be played, Indian teams will participate in multilateral and international tournaments. If Pakistan's team needs to travel to India for such tournaments, the Indian government will issue visas,” he said.
Pakistan’s recent win over the UAE propelled them into the Super Four, setting the stage for yet another India-Pakistan showdown. With both sides on the big stage, another chapter of the rivalry can take place on UAE soil.
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