ICC likely to reject Pakistan's request to replace match referee Pycroft: Sources

The International Cricket Council is unlikely to bow to Pakistan's request for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup over the handshake controversy that followed India's win against Pakistan. While no official decision has been communicated, sources suggest the ICC rarely entertains such demands and is expected to stand by its appointed official.

The PCB is aggrieved over the Indian players' refusal to exchange handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts after Sunday's Asia Cup clash, an incident that has since spiralled into a diplomatic flashpoint. The board claims that Pycroft intervened at the toss, advising both captains to avoid the customary gesture. On Monday, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that a formal complaint had been lodged with the ICC, accusing the Zimbabwean of breaching both the Code of Conduct and the spirit of the game.

"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," Naqvi said on



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India captain Suryakumar Yadav, meanwhile, defended his team's refusal to exchange handshakes, saying it was a gesture of solidarity with the families of victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed. His explanation did little to placate the PCB, which first complained to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) before escalating the matter to the ICC.

In a dramatic escalation, the PCB threatened to withdraw from their next Group A match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if the ICC did not remove Pycroft from the remainder of the eight-team tournament. The board argues that Pycroft's intervention fuelled the post-match controversy, when Suryakumar Yadav and his team refused to shake hands with their opponents after India's seven-wicket win.

Pycroft is among the most experienced officials in the game, having served on the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees since 2009. For the Asia Cup, the ICC had nominated both Pycroft and former West Indies captain Richie Richardson. The current Elite Panel also features India’s Javagal Srinath, New Zealand’s Jeff Crowe, and Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle.