Lagatar24 Desk
Dubai: The Asia Cup 2025 faces fresh turbulence as Pakistan pressed for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft following a post-match handshake controversy with India. Sources told TOI that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has refused to meet this demand, stressing that replacing a match referee at a team’s request would undermine the independence of officials.
Handshake Controversy Sparks Row
The dispute began after India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan in their Group A clash on Sunday, when Indian players reportedly skipped the customary handshake and shut their dressing-room door on their rivals. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi — also ACC president and the country’s federal interior minister — criticised the incident on social media, calling it “against the spirit of the game.” PCB’s complaint accused Pycroft of telling Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart before the toss. Reports also claimed PCB sacked its international cricket director Usama Wahla over his handling of the fallout, including allowing Shaheen Shah Afridi to collect a post-match award after the captain boycotted the presentation.
ICC Stance And Pakistan’s Next Moves
The ICC has stood firm, reportedly informing PCB that Pycroft would continue in his role. Some Pakistani outlets suggested the board may now push for former West Indies captain Ritchie Richardson to officiate their remaining matches. PCB’s issues with Pycroft date back to earlier instances when he reported Pakistani bowlers such as Shoaib Malik, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez for suspect actions. Meanwhile, Pakistan cancelled their pre-match press conference ahead of a must-win game against UAE in Dubai, even as training sessions for both teams proceeded on separate grounds. With one win and one loss, Pakistan are second in the standings but face elimination if they lose to UAE. Their reported threat to withdraw from the tournament could cost them $12–16 million, given revenue-sharing agreements within the Asian Cricket Council.
