The International Cricket Council has turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s request to remove veteran referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the controversial no-handshake episode in the India-Pakistan clash. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council, had alleged that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Agha at the toss not to engage in a handshake with India’s Suryakumar Yadav, sparking outrage and claims of disrespect to the spirit of cricket.
Despite the PCB’s urgent complaint citing violations of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC’s Spirit of Cricket laws, the governing body dismissed the plea. According to ICC sources, the reply was categorical: Pycroft will continue officiating and will oversee Pakistan’s upcoming group match against the UAE. With 695 international matches across formats, the Zimbabwean referee remains one of the most experienced officials in the ICC Elite Panel.
The rejection has placed the PCB in a difficult position. Reports suggest that Pakistan even threatened to boycott their fixture against the UAE if Pycroft was not replaced, though the claim has not been formally announced by the board. Adding to the turmoil, PCB Director of Cricket Operations Usman Walha was sacked after allegedly failing to inform his captain about the no-handshake policy. Sources revealed that this oversight blindsided Salman Agha, intensifying the embarrassment for the team.
PCB had proposed Richie Richardson as an alternative referee for their UAE match, but it remains uncertain whether this compromise will be accepted. Meanwhile, the ACC, headed by India’s Jay Shah, has supported the ICC’s decision, reinforcing that no breach of law occurred during the toss. The standoff highlights the fragile relationship between India and Pakistan in cricket, where even symbolic gestures are magnified by political tensions.
Pakistan, already struggling with just one win from two matches, must defeat the UAE to reach the Super 4 stage. Ironically, if they qualify, another high-stakes encounter with India awaits on Sunday. With the handshake row unresolved, the cricketing spotlight has once again shifted from the field to the boardrooms.
