Tensions have escalated in the cricketing world after the Asia Cup handshake controversy took a dramatic turn, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seeking the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft.
The move comes just hours before Pakistan faces the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their crucial group-stage clash.
According to sources, Pycroft is expected to be removed from officiating Pakistan’s remaining Asia Cup games. The PCB had earlier filed an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing the referee of violating the “Spirit of Cricket” by discouraging the Pakistan and India captains from shaking hands at the toss before their September 14 fixture.
The PCB also pointed to the absence of the customary post-match handshake, with Indian players walking away to their dressing room instead of acknowledging the Pakistani side.
However, Indian media reports suggest that the ICC has formally rejected the PCB’s demand, informing the board that Pycroft will remain as match referee. The decision has intensified the Asia Cup handshake controversy, raising questions about neutrality and sportsmanship in the high-voltage tournament.
Read More: ACC probe exposes bias allegations against Andy Pycroft in Asia Cup 2025
The PCB cancelled Pakistan’s scheduled pre-match press conference on Tuesday, while holding an emergency meeting to decide the team’s participation in the rest of the tournament. PCB’s spokesperson confirmed that consultations are ongoing and a final decision would be announced soon.
“The decision will be taken keeping Pakistan’s interests in view,” the spokesperson said, without ruling out the possibility of withdrawal.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, defended his team’s decision not to shake hands, claiming it was aligned with the Indian government and cricket board’s stance. “Some things are above sportsmanship,” he said, sparking further debate about politics overshadowing cricket traditions.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of worsening political ties between the two nations. Their Asia Cup clash was the first since an armed conflict triggered by India’s cross-border strike and Pakistan’s retaliatory “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” which claimed more than 70 lives before a ceasefire was agreed.
Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral series since 2012, meeting only in ICC or ACC tournaments on neutral grounds, highlighting how geopolitics continues to shape their cricketing rivalry.
Earlier, an internal Asian Cricket Council (ACC) probe revealed misconduct by Andy Pycroft match referee during Pakistan’s recent Asia Cup 2025 clash against India.
The findings have fueled outrage in Pakistan, where cricket authorities accuse Pycroft of showing favoritism toward Indian players and undermining the spirit of the game.
The controversy first erupted during the toss on September 14, when Pycroft reportedly instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha to switch off his microphone and listen to him privately. He allegedly told Agha not to shake hands with India’s skipper, Suryakumar Yadav — a move that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) described as “a clear breach of cricketing protocol.”
Sources claim the directive was “pre-planned,” designed to control what the Pakistani captain could or could not say just before the match began. The incident has since been labeled a violation of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The inquiry also found that Pycroft overlooked disciplinary action against India’s Suryakumar Yadav, who reportedly used the phrase “Operation Sindoor.” The comment, deemed inappropriate, was ignored to ensure the batsman avoided any fine or sanction. This further strengthened Pakistan’s claim that the referee had colluded with Indian officials.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected PCB’s formal demand to replace Pycroft as match referee for the Asia Cup. The decision, conveyed through an official letter, has only deepened Pakistan’s frustration.
The PCB, led by chairman Mohsin Naqvi, has warned that Pakistan may withdraw from the tournament if Pycroft continues in his role. “We cannot allow double standards in international cricket,” a senior PCB official said.
Tempers flared further after India’s victory, when players Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked off without completing the customary handshakes. Pakistan’s captain Agha and coach Mike Hesson later approached the Indian dressing room, only to find the door shut. The incident has been widely criticized as unsporting behavior, intensifying Pakistan’s calls for accountability.
Also Read: ICC rejects PCB’s complaint seeking removal of match referee from Asia Cup: Indian media
The PCB is reportedly considering boycotting its upcoming group match against the UAE if the ICC insists on retaining Pycroft. Such a move would automatically eliminate Pakistan from the Asia Cup and allow the UAE to progress.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has also requested the ICC not to assign Andy Pycroft match referee duties for their upcoming home series against South Africa in October, underscoring the depth of the mistrust.
The ICC, however, remains firm, stating that match officials are appointed in consultation with the ACC and that Pycroft’s role is not under review. For now, it appears the governing body is unwilling to bow to PCB’s demands, setting the stage for a potentially explosive standoff in world cricket.
