The Pakistani cricket team has filed a formal protest against the Indian cricket team after the Asia Cup match on Sunday. According to PTI, the Pakistan Cricket Board has approached the Asian Cricket Council to complain about the Indian team, which refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players at the end of their group-stage game.

The incident angered Pakistan’s players, with captain Salman Ali Agha choosing to skip the post-match presentation ceremony. Normally, captains of both teams attend this ceremony as a sign of sportsmanship. The PCB stated that Agha’s decision to boycott the ceremony was a protest against the behaviour of the Indian team, noting that the ceremony host was also an Indian.

ESPNcricinfo further reported that the PCB had also complained to match referee Andy Pycroft. According to the report, Pycroft advised Salman Agha not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav during the toss. The Pakistan team management viewed this guidance as unfair and against the spirit of cricket, describing the conduct as contrary to sportsmanship.

The protest by Pakistan is largely based on the belief that India violated the Spirit of Cricket, a principle upheld by the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to ICC rules, teams are expected to congratulate their opponents at the end of a match, regardless of the outcome.

The Spirit of Cricket is an important part of the game and emphasises respect, fair play, and discipline. Players are expected to respect their captain, teammates, opponents, and umpires, while maintaining a positive atmosphere on the field. Fair play includes accepting umpire decisions gracefully, showing self-discipline even when situations go against a team, and acknowledging the successes of the opposing team while celebrating one’s own achievements.

The ICC Code of Conduct applies to all players, captains, and match officials, as well as coaches and mentors in junior cricket. It serves as a reminder that cricket is not only about skill and competition but also about respect, sportsmanship, and maintaining the integrity of the game. The recent incident during the Asia Cup match has sparked debate over adherence to these principles, highlighting the importance of maintaining cricket’s core values on and off the field.