PCB’s request to replace match referee Andy Pycroft in Asia Cup rejected by ICC
PCB had alleged that Pycroft had instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with the Indian captain at the toss.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to replace match referee Andy Pycroft for the Asia Cup. However, the governing body of cricket has officially rejected the request. According to cricket-focused website Cricbuzz, the ICC informed PCB of this decision last night.
Cricbuzz also reported that they contacted PCB for a comment, but the board denied receiving any such communication from the ICC. According to Cricbuzz's report, the ICC's operations or legal department had contacted PCB, stating in a letter that Pycroft had no role in the controversy over the lack of a handshake during the India-Pakistan match.
PCB had alleged that Pycroft had instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with the Indian captain at the toss. However, the ICC clarified that officials from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) present on the ground had informed Pycroft that there would be no handshake between the two captains at the toss. The letter made it clear that Pycroft did not act in favour of the Indian team.
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In Dubai, the night before last, India chased down Pakistan's 127-run target with ease, winning by 7 wickets in just 15.5 overs. The Indian players did not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, not only at the toss but also after the match. As Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav finished the match with a six, his teammates headed straight to the dressing room while Pakistani players waited on the field for a handshake. Pakistani media claimed that none of the Indian players came out to meet the Pakistanis who were standing outside the Indian dressing room. Following this, Pakistan captain Salman Agha boycotted the post-match presentation ceremony.
On social media platform X, PCB and ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi made two posts regarding the incident, calling for Andy Pycroft to be immediately removed from the Asia Cup.
Pakistan are scheduled to face the United Arab Emirates tomorrow in Dubai, with Pycroft again appointed as the match referee. Earlier, the PCB had stated that the Pakistan team would not play the match if Zimbabwean Pycroft was not replaced.
Will Pakistan boycott the match, then?
