PCB Targets India's Star Pacer Ahead of Asia Cup Final

The Asia Cup 2025 has witnessed a lot of drama and tension between India and Pakistan. Both the apex bodies of India and Pakistan have been involved in a cold war and now a fresh complaint has been filed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on India's star fast bowler Arshdeep Singh for a few controversial gestures to the crowd.

India and Pakistan have been involved in a no. of heated moments in the last few days, resulting in the involvement of match referee a little more frequent. Now, it was time for the PCB to lodge a complaint against Arshdeep, one of the best bowlers in the world, whom they accused of making some inappropriate gestures to the crowd.

What is Arshdeep Singh Controversy?

The incident happened during the Super 4 game played on 21st September 2025 between India and Pakistan during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The PCB categorically highlighted in their complaint that the gestures which Arshdeep Singh made to the crowd, violated the ICC Code of Conduct.

The PCB has argued that Arshdeep Singh gesture IND vs PAK match was unacceptable and the apex body of Pakistan Cricket has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take action on the young left-arm pacer. The ICC is yet to respond on this incident and it remains to be seen if Arshdeep cops up any fine or ban after the recent incidents between these two cricket teams.

During the last game played between these teams, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf also made some inappropriate gestures to the Indian crowd resuting in lot of scrutiny. Later, he was fined 30% of his match fees. India's captain Suryakumar Yadav also copped a fine for praising his country's army operations across the border. The match referee deemed these comments as political ones.

No Handshake Controversy Between India & Pakistan

After the Indian national cricket team refused to shake hands with the Pakistan national cricket team after their group-stage game on 14th September 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the PCB blamed the match referee Andy Pycroft and lodged a compliant against him.
PCB claimed that Andy Pycroft was the one who had asked both the captains to not shake hands during the toss. After a lot of ruckuses, the ICC rejected their appeal and Pycroft continued his refereeing duties at the Asia Cup 2025.
Pakistan had even threatened to boycott their group-stage game against UAE on 17th September 2025 but eventually played the game after a 1-hour delay in the game. It was a huge embarrassment for the PCB, although they kept insisting that it was a winning situation for them.

The PCB Arshdeep Singh controversy has added a new layer of rivalry between these two teams, especially ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final. The match is expected to be a high pressure one with the greatest rivalry in cricket likely to live up to its expectations.
It remains to be seen whether India can continue their good form against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 finals. Notably, India have defeated Pakistan in the group-stage and the Super 4 encounters and are the favorites to register a hat-trick of victories against Salman Ali Agha & his team. However, the Men in Green will be giving their all to clinch victory in this game.