 "Pakistan reportedly send second letter to ICC over Pycroft as uncertainty continues over Asia Cup match")
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is in a huddle currently in Dubai to take a final call on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) second letter demanding action against match referee Andy Pycroft, said a report in Cricbuzz. The ICC had rejected PCB’s initial letter to remove Zimbabwean Pycroft from the Asia Cup 2025 after the match referee was accused of violating the ‘Spirit of Cricket’.
Early on Wednesday, it was reported that ICC had agreed to remove Pycroft from Pakistan’s match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later in the evening as the PCB had threatened a boycott if its demand was not met. As per reports, a compromise was reached and Richie Richardson was set to officiate the game, but Pycroft would continue to be a part of the Asia Cup.
PCB shoots second letter to ICC over Pycroft
But the latest breaking news is that PCB is not satisfied with the compromise and is still asking for removal of Pycroft from the tournament, but ICC is not willing to agree as it can set a wrong precedent.
A PCB insider told the Hindustan Times that they were not happy with ICC’s response while rejecting the first letter and the complaint.
“We have sent another letter to the ICC. We are not pleased with the response. All the aspects were not reviewed related to Andy Pycroft. The ICC’s response comes as a mere formality. Our stand is firm. Andy Pycroft cannot be the match referee," a PCB source said.
While Pakistan have accused that Pycroft was the one who asked India and Pakistan captains to avoid handshakes at the toss during their match last Sunday, the ICC claimed that it was the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) official at the ground who asked the match referee to implement a ‘No Handshake’ policy in the match. Meanwhile, we need to remember that the ACC is headed by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
The India captain, Suryakumar Yadav, had confirmed after their seven-wicket win over Pakistan that it was a deliberate decision by the Men In Blue to refuse handshakes with Pakistan as they wanted to express solidarity with the Pahalgam terror attack.
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