The PCB’s Request To Have Match Referee Andy Pycroft Removed Was Denied.

According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demanded that match referee Andy Pycroft be removed from the current Asia Cup 2025, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) publicly rejected the request.

Following the handshake scandal in the India match, the board demanded in a letter to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the ICC on Monday that Pycroft be removed from the current tournament.

From the toss, when both captains ignored the traditional handshake, the match, which was played against a tense backdrop, had unexpected scenes.

The PCB claims that match referee Pycroft gave this order, which they feel violated both the MCC’s regulations of behavior and the spirit of cricket.

In its letter, the PCB emphasized that Andy Pycroft “were unable to perform his duties as match referee,” stating that “no handshakes took place before or after the match, which is an insult of the game’s principles and longstanding traditions.”

According to the report, Pycroft was informed by ACC authorities on the site that there would be no handshake at the toss. The ICC has since justified the situation.

“The ICC letter clarified and disproved Pakistan’s suspicion that the match referee was representing the Indian team.”

Further Richie Richardson, a West Indian, is going to take Pycroft’s place as chairman of Pakistan’s matches throughout the tournament.

Pakistan was considering “boycotting” the remaining matches unless the ICC replaced the match referee. The controversy started during the intense Pakistan-India match when Pycroft is reported to have told Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands, which the PCB claims violated ICC rules.

The board had emphasized how Pycroft’s actions broke established procedures and damaged the spirit of the game. Sources report that the PCB has made it apparent that the ICC’s corrective measures are necessary for Pakistan to continue playing in the tournament.

Pakistan’s future Asia Cup matches are currently uncertain due to the deadlock. In order to advance to the tournament’s super fours, Pakistan must defeat the United Arab Emirates in their matchup.