Match referee Andy Pycroft, who was at the center of a recent handshake controversy, will once again officiate the highly anticipated Pakistan vs India clash in the Asia Cup Super Four stage on Sunday, September 21, in Dubai.

The tension first sparked during the September 14 group match between the two rivals, when players and captains from both teams refrained from shaking hands at the toss. Later, Pakistan’s head coach revealed that referee Andy Pycroft had instructed captain Salman Agha not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart, sparking outrage from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Following the incident, PCB lodged a strong protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC), demanding that Pycroft be removed from future matches and even threatening to boycott the fixture against the United Arab Emirates.

Read More: Pakistan cancels press conference before Pakistan vs India Asia Cup clash

Amid mounting criticism, Andy Pycroft personally apologized to the Pakistan captain, which de-escalated the situation. As a result, Pakistan played their match against the UAE under his supervision as referee. However, his reappointment for the upcoming Pakistan vs India clash has once again raised eyebrows and is expected to draw strong reactions from fans and cricketing circles alike.

With the spotlight firmly on the Dubai showdown, the Pakistan team has made key moves to improve its performance after losing to India in the group stage. The management has even hired a psychologist to strengthen the players’ mental resilience. Interestingly, Pakistan canceled its pre-match press conference, choosing instead to focus entirely on preparation.

As one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries resumes, the upcoming Super Four fixture carries added intensity—not only because of the on-field stakes but also due to the controversy surrounding the match referee.