The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from officiating in the Asia Cup 2025, putting an end to one of the tournament’s most heated off-field controversies.
The PCB had accused Pycroft of showing partiality during the India vs Pakistan clash in Dubai on Sunday, alleging that he instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss. The incident triggered outrage in Pakistan’s camp, with officials questioning the “neutrality” of the veteran Zimbabwean referee.
ICC Clears the Air
In a communication believed to have been sent on Monday night by either the ICC’s operations or legal department, the governing body made its stance clear: Pycroft was simply relaying instructions given by ACC officials on the ground.
“The match referee did not act independently or on behalf of either team. He was only conveying information shared with him by the Asian Cricket Council,” the ICC clarified, dismissing Pakistan’s contention that Pycroft had acted with bias.
This official rejection, first reported as likely by Cricbuzz on Monday, effectively means Pycroft will continue in his role for the tournament.
Spotlight on Pakistan vs UAE Clash
The decision now shifts attention to Pakistan’s upcoming clash against the UAE on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. Pycroft, 69, has already been designated as the match referee for the fixture. The PCB had earlier taken a strong public stance, hinting that the team might not take the field if Pycroft remained in charge.
It remains unclear whether the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), headed by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, can intervene to change the match referee. Traditionally, however, such appointments are strictly under the ICC’s jurisdiction, making any last-minute alteration highly unlikely.
PCB Maintains Silence
When contacted, PCB officials denied receiving any formal communication from the ICC, choosing not to escalate matters further — at least for now. But with emotions still running high after the controversial India-Pakistan fixture, Wednesday’s game has already taken on a political edge.
What Next?
The handshake saga has now snowballed into a full-blown governance tussle, testing the lines of authority between the ICC, ACC, and the PCB. For fans and players alike, the bigger question looms: will Pakistan walk onto the field against the UAE if Pycroft is still in the chair?
One thing is certain: the Asia Cup, already known for high drama on and off the pitch, has found its latest flashpoint.
