Home
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially rejected to Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) preposterous demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the upcoming games of the T20 Asia Cup 2025. The ICC investigated the matter and found that Pycroft was not at fault.
PCB had claimed that Pycroft asked Pakistan captain Salman Agha to shake India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s hand at the coin toss. Later, PCB was unhappy with Pycroft not taking an action against Suryakumar-led India for leaving the field without customary handshake.
Sports Tak has learned that a few ACC officials, including PCB director of international cricket, were well aware that there will be no handshake between the two skippers.
On September 15, Pakistan also threatened to pull out of T20 Asia Cup 2025 ahead of the UAE clash. Pakistan’s last group stage clash is against UAE on September 17. PCB is yet to respond to ICC rejecting their demand.
Pakistan are scheduled to practice on September 16 in Dubai. In the evening, there is a pre-match press conference scheduled as well. Their next course of action will be clear in the pre-match press conference.
On what grounds PCB demanded Pycroft's removal?
PCB and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi posted on social media that the board has demanded Pycroft's removal on grounds of violation of the ICC Code of Conduct which pertains to the spirit of cricket.
"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 posted on social media.
What will happen if Pakistan pull out of UAE clash?
Both Pakistan and UAE have beaten Oman in their respective clashes. If Pakistan were to follow through with their threat and pull of out Asia Cup 2025, UAE will progress to the Super Four stage. Then, India will face UAE on September 21 in their first Super 4 game.
ADVERTISEMENT
