India, Sept. 18 -- Former India spinner Murali Kartik minced no words as he tore into the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its chairman Mohsin Naqvi for "holding people to ransom" following the delayed start of the Asia Cup 2025 Group A match between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Stadium. The contest was pushed back by an hour as PCB tried their level best to get match referee Andy Pycroft replaced.

Following the no-handshake saga in the India versus Pakistan match at the same venue on September 14, the PCB took offence to Pycroft's behaviour, claiming the senior official from Zimbabwe failed to uphold the spirit of cricket.

However, the ICC didn't listen to the PCB, and Pycroft wasn't removed. H...