The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has had its demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup 2025 panel rejected by the International Cricket Council (ICC). This came after PCB held the 69-year-old referee responsible for the no-handshake controversy during the Asia Cup Group A match between India and Pakistan.
The Controversy Unfolds
The no-handshake incident took place after India’s victory over Pakistan on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav explained that the decision was made to show solidarity with the families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians earlier that year.
PCB was quick to react, filing a formal complaint through Pakistan’s team manager, Naved Cheema, to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), accusing Pycroft of being the originator of the no-handshake situation at the toss. The PCB then escalated the issue to the ICC, demanding Pycroft’s immediate removal from the panel of match referees. They also threatened to pull out of the tournament if their demand wasn’t met. PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi criticized Pycroft’s actions publicly, claiming they violated the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws related to the Spirit of Cricket.
ICC’s Stance: No Grounds for Removal
Despite PCB’s strong objections, the ICC reportedly rejected their request. According to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC found no substantial evidence to support the demand for Pycroft’s removal. The governing body clarified that the match referee had only a minimal role in the incident. The ICC further stated that it was the ACC officials who had informed Pycroft before the match about the no-handshake decision, and the referee simply communicated this message to the Pakistan captain to avoid potential public embarrassment.
The Role of the ACC in the Dispute
A separate report in the Times of India revealed that Pycroft may have been acting on instructions from the ACC. Sources close to the situation indicated that someone from the ACC had spoken with Pycroft before the match, instructing him to avoid the handshake. This conversation, according to the source, led to the decision not to shake hands at the toss. The source added that the ICC’s responsibility ended with the appointment of the match officials, and the blame should be placed on the ACC for initiating the pre-match discussion.
Possible Compromise: Removal of Pycroft from Pakistan Matches
While the PCB is yet to make an official statement on their next steps, there is speculation that the ACC may propose a compromise. This could involve removing Pycroft from officiating any future Pakistan matches in the tournament, including their final group-stage game against the UAE. A source familiar with the developments mentioned that a potential resolution might see Richie Richardson replace Pycroft for the remaining Pakistan games.
Will PCB Follow Through on Its Threat?
The situation remains fluid as the PCB decides whether to pursue its threat of withdrawing from the Asia Cup if their demands aren’t met. The controversy has put the focus on the relationship between India and Pakistan within the context of the Asia Cup, and how the no-handshake incident will be resolved in the coming days.
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