ICC stands firm: Andy Pycroft again referee for India vs Pakistan match after handshake controversy

The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash has got another twist. Andy Pycroft, the match referee who was caught in the handshake controversy on their previous meeting in the group stage on September 14, will again be in charge when the two teams meet in the Asia Cup Super 4s in Dubai on Sunday, September 21.

Why is there so much noise over a match referee?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) for Pycroft’s removal after he allegedly requested their captain Salman Agha not to shake hands with Suryakumar Yadav during the toss last Sunday. This move created a storm and became a big talking point after India refused to shake hands with Pakistan players post-match as well.

The PCB sent a letter to the ICC, requesting action against Pycroft for his alleged bias towards India. The Pakistan team even cancelled their pre-match press conference to register their protest against what had happened during the India clash.

After the ICC rejected the PCB’s request to remove Pycroft as match referee from their games in the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan team threatened to boycott their final group stage game against the hosts, the UAE. Pakistan officials then had long talks with the ICC about Pycroft behind the scenes and eventually agreed to play the UAE game, claiming that the former Zimbabwe cricketer had apologised to them.

Just before the UAE game, Pakistan management, including their head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Agha, had a meeting with Pycroft. A footage of the meeting was shared by the PCB, projecting it as an apology video from Pycroft. The PCB recorded the meeting on a mobile phone, which became another controversy as the ICC said it was against the rules inside the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA).

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The ICC accused PCB of multiple violations, including misconduct during their meeting with Pycroft. The PCB hit back saying that why the matter was not raised at the venue itself, where the meeting took place and a recording was released.

Now, Pycroft will again be in the referee’s seat for the upcoming India vs Pakistan clash. The tension is going to be high, and all eyes will be on how both sides handle the situation in Dubai. India had refused to shake hands with Pakistan players during their last match and it will be interesting to see if they do the same again, citing the terror attack that occurred back home in April this year.