Dubai – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the panel of officials for the ongoing Asia Cup. The decision, which was communicated to the PCB late on Monday night, came after the Pakistani board filed a complaint with the ICC.
The controversy began during the toss of the highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan on Sunday. According to the PCB’s complaint, Pycroft had instructed the captains of both teams—India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha—not to shake hands. This alleged instruction, a break from the usual protocol of exchanging team sheets and a handshake, prompted the PCB to escalate the issue.
Pakistan’s team manager, Naved Cheema, also filed a separate complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), alleging that it was Pycroft’s insistence that led to the team sheets not being exchanged between the two captains as is customary.
An ICC source stated, “Late last night, ICC had sent a reply to PCB stating that Pycroft won’t be removed and their plea has been rejected.” The 69-year-old Zimbabwean official is still scheduled to officiate Pakistan’s final group stage match against the UAE on Wednesday.
The decision by the ICC to stand by its match referee marks a firm stance against the PCB’s formal complaint and its call for Pycroft’s removal.