Srinagar: In major embarrassment for Pakistan Cricket Board, International Cricket Council (ICC) continued Andy Pycroft as the match referee for the Pakistan vs UAE match despite PCB threatening to pullout.
While ICC has categorically told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it cannot remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the panel of match referees for the Asia Cup, PCBB in its claim has aside that Andy Pycroft apologized.
The ICC communique has said that it had conducted its own inquiry and concluded that Pycroft had actually helped prevent an embarrassment for both captains by discreetly advising Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha to avoid handshakes at the toss. It also stressed that Pycroft had not violated any match protocols.
The ICC conceded that the PCB was well within its right to complain but the cricket governing body conducted an enquiry and found no wrongdoing or misconduct by the match referee. It has also been the ICC’s contention that the appointment of match officials is a centralised ICC decision and it cannot be influenced by considerations of any member board.
It is clear that the ICC was not willing to bend to the pressure tactics of the PCB which has also been told that this would set a dangerous precedent for the future.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday released the video of match referee Andy Pycroft apologising to the national team ahead of their ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
In the footage, Pycroft can be seen talking to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, white-ball head coach of men’s cricket team Mike Hesson and team manager Naveed Akram Cheema.
The meeting was held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the presence of ICC General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan, who is the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PCB.
“The ICC’s match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team,” the PCB said in a statement.
“Andy Pycroft had barred the captains of India and Pakistan from shaking hands during their match.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly reacted to Andy Pycroft’s actions.
“Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised.
