Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir shared a picture with Virat Kohli, calling him the best Indian cricketer and human being.
India vs Pakistan Super 4s Clash Set Amid Tensions
The highly anticipated rematch between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is set for the Super 4s stage of the Asia Cup at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Tempers are expected to flare following the September 14 group stage encounter, where Suryakumar Yadav’s India refused to shake hands with Pakistan, sparking a conflict between the PCB and ICC.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir shared a nostalgic picture with Virat Kohli on social media, calling him the “best human being.” The image dates back to the 2016 T20 World Cup, when Kohli gifted Mohammad Amir a bat before their match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Mohammad Amir’s post, while complimentary toward the former India captain, is seen by many as a subtle jab at the current Indian team embroiled in the no-handshake controversy. “One thing is for sure, Virat is the best player and best human being in Indian cricket history, respect,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The controversy began when PCB requested the ICC to remove match referee Andy Pycroft for the remainder of the tournament, alleging the Zimbabwean official failed to uphold the spirit of cricket. The ICC rejected the request twice, and Pycroft continued to officiate Pakistan’s recent Group A match against the UAE on Friday.
Pycroft’s alleged apology
Before their match against the UAE, the PCB issued a statement claiming that ICC match referee Andy Pycroft had apologised to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, coach Mike Hesson, and the team manager for failing to notify them about the no-handshake directive during the India game.
The PCB also released a muted video showing Pycroft in conversation with the concerned parties. However, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta flagged the incident, stating that the PCB breached PMOA regulations. Carrying phones or recording inside the PMOA is strictly prohibited under the Anti-Corruption Code, and it remains to be seen whether the ICC will sanction the PCB for this serious violation.
