Asia Cup 2025: PCB demands removal of match referee Andy Pycroft

Published - 15 Sept 2025, 16:49 IST | Updated - 15 Sept 2025, 16:58 IST

The Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan turned out to be a one-sided affair, with India securing a comfortable victory. However, the match was making headlines even before the first ball was bowled. At the toss, both captains refrained from shaking hands, which quickly became a talking point. After the game, the Indian players also avoided handshakes and headed straight to the dressing room, further fueling discussions.

In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought to escalate the matter. A day after filing a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee against the Indian team’s conduct, the PCB has demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft from the panel of match referees for the Asia Cup.

"The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup," the chairman of PCB, Mohsin Naqvi has said on social media.

The PCB’s primary grievance is that Pycroft allegedly took sides during the match. Their contention is that, as the match referee, he had no authority to instruct the captains not to shake hands. According to sources, the PCB has escalated its protest to the point of threatening a boycott of its next fixture against the UAE on September 17, should its demand for Pycroft’s removal not be met.

Pycroft is also slated to officiate as the match referee for the Pakistan-UAE game. While this information could not be independently verified, it is believed that the PCB highlighted this concern in its letter to the ICC. Incidentally, Naqvi, who is leading the PCB, also serves as the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

"Utterly disappointing to witness the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let's hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace," the PCB chief wrote.

Pycroft has found himself at the centre of controversy for allegedly failing to act on the PCB’s protest against the Indian team, which refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players following their seven-wicket defeat at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Pycroft is among the most experienced match referees, having served on the ICC Elite Panel since 2009. For the Asia Cup, the ICC had nominated both Pycroft and West Indian Richie Richardson as referees. The current Elite Panel also features three other senior officials, Javagal Srinath of India, Jeff Crowe of New Zealand, and Ranjan Madugalle of Sri Lanka.

"Team manager Naveed Cheema lodged a strong protest against Indian players' behaviour of not shaking hands. It was deemed as unsporting and against the sport of the game. As a protest we did not send our captain to the post match ceremony," the Pakistan team management said.