Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla has resumed duties after facing suspension over the “handshake” controversy during the Asia Cup.
According to journalist Saleem Khaliq, Wahla on Wednesday attended a meeting regarding Pakistan’s upcoming series against South Africa.
Earlier, the PCB had suspended Wahla for delaying the board’s response to the controversial incidents in the first high-voltage Pakistan–India clash in Dubai on September 14. Reports said the board was unhappy with the delay in filing a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The controversy erupted when match referee Andy Pycroft instructed both captains to skip the customary handshake at the toss. The situation worsened after India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav led his players straight to the dressing room following a seven-wicket win, refusing the post-match handshake. Pakistan players waited on the field and were left visibly disappointed.
The PCB reacted strongly, filing an official complaint with the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The board demanded Pycroft’s immediate removal, arguing his directive violated the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC’s laws.
ICC referee Andy Pycroft later issued an apology to the Pakistan team over his decision to stop the pre-toss handshake.
The Asia Cup, however, remained marred by other controversies. India defeated Pakistan in the final but refused to accept the trophy from ACC president and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The ceremony ended without a handover, and the trophy stayed with ACC officials in Dubai.
During a subsequent ACC meeting, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla reportedly demanded that the trophy be delivered directly to India, but Naqvi dismissed the demand and said the captain must collect it personally from ACC headquarters.
New reports later revealed that the ACC had split into two blocs amid rising tensions. Pakistan and Bangladesh stood together on one side while Sri Lanka had aligned itself with India. Afghanistan was shifting its stance between both camps.
Reports also said that Naqvi became a major irritant for India, with talk of a possible no-confidence motion against him.