Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to remove senior match referee Andy Pycroft from the panel ahead of Pakistan’s final group stage match against the UAE in the Asia Cup.
The controversy erupted after Pakistan alleged that Pycroft instructed captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav during the toss on September 14. Pakistan claimed that team sheets were also not exchanged, breaking the usual protocol. PCB had warned that it might withdraw from the tournament if their demand was not met.
“Late last night, ICC informed PCB that Pycroft will not be removed and their plea has been rejected,” a source told PTI. Pycroft, a senior member of the ICC Elite Panel with 695 international matches officiated, is scheduled to oversee Pakistan’s match against the UAE on Wednesday.
Reports suggest that the confusion arose due to Pakistan Cricket Board’s Director of Cricket Operations, Usman Walha, who allegedly failed to brief Salman Ali Agha on the Asia Cup’s rules and regulations. Following the incident, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi who also chairs the Asian Cricket Council ordered Walha’s removal, citing the embarrassment caused to the national team.
The incident has intensified scrutiny on Pakistan’s handling of Asia Cup protocols and highlighted tensions surrounding the India-Pakistan clash in Dubai.
