ICC rejects PCB’s request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had sought the removal of controversial match referee Andy Pycroft, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the request.

Pycroft had reportedly instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav. The PCB condemned his actions, terming them a violation of the spirit of cricket and the ICC Code of Conduct.

A recent report from an Indian sports website claims that the International Cricket Council (ICC) denied Pakistan's allegations that the match referee made a decision under pressure from the Indian team.

According to the website, an ICC source stated that a member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) who was at the venue instructed the match referee not to shake hands.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the Asia Cup tournament director, stressing that India’s conduct during the match went against the principles of fair play.

Read more: Pakistan to boycott Asia Cup over ICC referee dispute

Indian players had left when Pakistani players came to shake hands: Mike Hesson

In its complaint, the PCB said Pycroft’s decision to prevent the captains from shaking hands at the toss, and his inaction after the Indian team refused to shake hands post-match, undermined the spirit of the game.

PCB Chairman and Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi earlier wrote on X that “Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports,” and expressed hope that future victories would be celebrated with dignity and respect.

The controversy erupted when Indian players walked off without greeting their opponents. In protest, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha skipped the closing ceremony.