ICC Rejects PCB’s Demand to Remove Match Referee Andy Pycroft Over Handshake Controversy

ICC Rejects PCB’s Demand to Remove Match Referee Andy Pycroft Over Handshake Controversy

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The PCB had held the 69-year-old Zimbabwean official responsible for the recent “no-handshake” controversy that has added fuel to tensions between India and Pakistan.

The controversy began after Indian players declined to shake hands with the Pakistani team following their victory on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav later explained that the decision was meant as a mark of solidarity with the families of the 26 victims killed in the April terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

The PCB was angered by the gesture and claimed it violated the spirit of cricket. Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema first filed a formal complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is headed by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. According to the complaint, it was Pycroft who allegedly initiated the no-handshake protocol at the toss.

Taking things a step further, the PCB wrote to the ICC demanding Pycroft’s immediate removal, even warning of a potential withdrawal from the tournament if their request wasn’t met.

“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 demands the immediate removal of the match referee from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

However, according to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC has decided not to act on the PCB’s complaint, finding no substantial reason to remove Pycroft. The governing body believes he played a minimal role in the incident and was only passing along a message from ACC officials, who reportedly decided there would be no handshakes at the toss to avoid a public confrontation.

“The ICC clarified that ACC officials on the ground instructed Pycroft that there would be no handshake at the toss. The match referee was simply conveying that message to prevent an awkward moment,” the report stated.

Sources within the ICC told Cricbuzz that it would set a problematic precedent to replace a match official based on a single member board’s complaint, especially when no wrongdoing was found.

A separate report in the Times of India added that Pycroft was likely acting on direct communication from someone within the ACC. “The ICC's role ends with appointing match officials. What happened at the toss was driven by a conversation between Pycroft and ACC officials,” a source said. “Instead of pointing fingers at the ICC, PCB should look into who initiated that chat and why.”

Despite the ICC’s stance, the situation remains tense. The PCB had earlier threatened to pull out of the Asia Cup if Pycroft wasn't removed. While some believe the public statements are meant to appease domestic audiences, others warn the issue could escalate.

Meanwhile, the Press Trust of India (PTI) has reported that the ACC may be exploring a compromise — possibly removing Pycroft from officiating any more Pakistan matches. He is currently scheduled to referee Pakistan’s final group game against the UAE on Wednesday.

“A respectable solution could be taking Pycroft off Pakistan’s matches. If that happens, the PCB is open to having Richie Richardson as a replacement,” a source close to the PCB told PTI.

It remains to be seen how this controversy will impact the rest of the tournament — and whether the PCB will follow through on its threats or settle for the middle ground.