The board claims Pycroft failed to prevent conduct that undermined sportsmanship and the spirit of the game.
Dubai: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has warned it may withdraw its team from the next fixture of the ongoing Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 unless the International Cricket Council (ICC) removes match referee Andy Pycroft, citing his alleged mishandling of events during Sunday’s match and the controversial handshake snub by Indian players.
The PCB has objected to Pycroft allegedly instructing Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with India skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss. The board claims Pycroft failed to prevent conduct that undermined sportsmanship and the spirit of the game.
Also Read
In a formal letter to the ICC, the PCB demanded Pycroft’s removal and threatened to boycott their next match if the request is not met, according to a report by Telecom Asia Sport. “It is learnt that Pakistan has threatened, in the letter, that they will boycott the next match if Pycroft is not removed,” the outlet reported.
According to reports, Usman Wahla, PCB’s Director for International Cricket, has been suspended for delaying the submission of the protest.
The PCB has lodged a strong complaint with both the ICC and the Asian Cricket Council, accusing Pycroft of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws regarding the Spirit of Cricket.
According to the report, Pycroft took Agha aside before the toss and advised him against initiating a handshake with Suryakumar. “How can a match referee tell a captain not to shake hands with the other captain?” the PCB’s letter questioned.
The letter further alleges that Pycroft conveyed the same instruction to the Indian captain and later asked the Pakistan team’s media manager not to record his conversation or movements. It is also claimed that Pycroft and Tournament Director Andre Russell informed team manager Naveed Cheema that the no-handshake directive was in line with Indian government and BCCI policy.
Cheema reportedly cited MCC rules, which mandate handshakes and appropriate conduct between teams, arguing that Pycroft failed to uphold these standards and should therefore be removed from his role.
IANS
Published: 15 Sept 2025, 08:19 pm IST
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.