The Asia Cup 2025 has drawn attention not only for the cricket but also for the controversies surrounding it. A major issue arose during the group stage match between India and Pakistan. The Indian team’s players did not engage in a handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. This situation had repercussions, including a one-hour delay in the start of the Pakistan-UAE match. The Pakistan Cricket Board is also facing accusations of breaching tournament protocols. Amidst these developments, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced a significant measure.
In an attempt to ease the tension stemming from the India-Pakistan match at the Asia Cup 2025, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has taken a decisive action. The ACC has introduced new guidelines, urging journalists to avoid posing political questions during press conferences. This move aims to de-escalate the environment between India and Pakistan. The press conference held after the handshake incident last Sunday saw Indian journalists asking tough questions. This put the ACC’s media department in a difficult situation.
Before the press conference featuring Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav before the match against Oman, an ACC media officer specifically asked Indian journalists to avoid any political queries. The ACC’s media department is under review for its handling of the controversy. The situation became more complex when UAE captain Muhammad Waseem was repeatedly questioned about the late arrival of the Pakistan team at a match earlier in the week.
In related news, a senior ICC member has questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) behavior. The member inquired why the Pakistani team did not attend the required press conference during a practice session. This press conference was planned ahead of the match between Pakistan and the UAE; however, no one from the Pakistan team was present.