Asia Cup 2025: PCB seeks removal of ICC match referee Andy Pycroft after handshake snub

The PCB has lodged a formal complaint against Pycroft with the the games' global governing body.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft with the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking his immediate removal from the panel of match officials in Asia Cup 2025, alleging violation of the apex body's code of conduct by him during the game against India in Dubai.

Earlier, PCB had also lodged a protest with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over the Indian players' refusal to shake hands with them following their marquee clash, labelling it "unsporting" and escalating the tension between the two sides.

Pycroft officiated the match held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (September 14) at the end of which Indian players did not shake hands with the rival team.

"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," PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said on 'X'.

The arch-rivals were facing each other on a cricket ground for the first time since the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir and the ensuing 'Operation Sindoor' by India on terror infrastructure across the border in May.

Indian skipper Suryakumar had earlier justified the decision to not shake hands with the opposition, saying it was their way of showing solidarity with the families of the Pahalgam terrorist attack victims.

It is presumed that 'no handshake' is a policy decision that would be maintained throughout the course of the Asia Cup 2025 if the teams happen to meet again in a Super Four Clash on September 21 followed by a potential meeting in the final on September 28.

(with inputs from PTI)