DUBAI: The ICC on Tuesday dismissed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the panel of officials for the ongoing Asia Cup. The PCB had lodged a complaint claiming that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, during the toss, not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav in their Asia Cup clash on Sunday.
“Late last night, the ICC responded to the PCB, confirming that Pycroft will not be removed and rejecting their request,” an ICC source stated.
The 69-year-old Zimbabwean referee is scheduled to officiate Pakistan’s final group-stage match against the UAE on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema also submitted a complaint to the Asian Cricket Council, asserting that, at Pycroft’s insistence, the team sheets were not exchanged between the two captains on Sunday, contrary to standard practice.
