Pakistan left red-faced as ICC rejects demand for action against match referee Andy Pycroft: Report

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been left red-faced as the Jay Shah-led International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected its demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the remainder of the Asia Cup 2025 despite threats of boycott. According to the news agency PTI, ICC formally informed Pakistan on Monday night that it will not take any action against Pycroft.

“Late last night, ICC had sent a reply to PCB stating that Pycroft won’t be removed and their plea has been rejected,” an ICC source told PTI.

Pakistan wanted action against Zimbabwean former cricketer Pycroft for allegedly asking Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha to avoid handshakes with India skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss during their match on Sunday.

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Pakistan had also threatened ICC with a possible boycott of the Group A match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday if Pycroft is not removed.

ICC rejects Pakistan’s demand for action against Pycroft 

But the ICC rejected Pakistan’s demand by reportedly reasoning that it was Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officials at the Dubai International Stadium who told Pycroft that there would be no handshakes during the toss. It’s important to note that ACC is headed by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The ICC’s decision has rejected the PCB’s claims that Pycroft was working in favour of the Indian team, who also refused to shake hands with Pakistan players after they won the match by seven wickets.

Now it will be interesting to see whether Pakistan will boycott the match against the UAE. Pakistan will be eliminated from the Asia Cup 2025 if they boycott the match against the UAE.

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However, a victory would land them another match against India on Sunday, 21 September.

The ESPNCricinfo has reported that despite the threat, Pakistan is in no mood to boycott the UAE game, and they will continue to take part in the Asia Cup 2025.