PCB reinstates Usman Wahla after Asia Cup handshake row

KARACHI:

PCB reconciles with Usman Wahla once again. After the Asia Cup “handshake” controversy, the suspended Director International has been reinstated. He even attended a meeting yesterday regarding the upcoming series against South Africa.

According to details, the recently concluded Asia Cup in the UAE was marred by controversies. In the Pakistan-India match, Indian cricketers completely disregarded the spirit of cricket. First, at the toss, captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha. Later, after the match, Indian players also avoided handshakes. In protest, the Pakistani team boycotted the closing ceremony, and Salman declined to give an interview to the Indian presenter. However, surprisingly, Shaheen Shah Afridi was sent to collect the “Most Sixes Award,” reportedly at the insistence of team manager Naveed Akram Cheema and Usman Wahla.

Subsequently, a complaint was filed—quite late—with match referee Andy Pycroft, who had allegedly stopped Salman from shaking hands with Suryakumar. Shockingly, India’s unsporting behavior was not highlighted at all. In reaction to this mishandling, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi suspended Usman Wahla. However, his anger has since cooled, and the Director International has now started working again.

Wahla also attended the departmental heads’ meeting at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, yesterday regarding the Pakistan–South Africa series. No action was taken against the team manager in this matter. Sources say that Naveed Akram Cheema, due to his advancing age, is unable to keep pace with the demands of modern cricket, and the PCB now needs a younger and more dynamic manager.

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