Dubai: Andy Pycroft, the match referee for the India-Pakistan clash during the ongoing Asia Cup, became embroiled in controversy over a ‘handshake row.’ According to ESPNCricinfo, Pycroft was informed only minutes before the toss for the September 14 fixture that both teams had been instructed not to shake hands.
The match referee considered himself a messenger of the directive rather than its enforcer. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint against Pycroft, alleging he violated the ICC’s Code of Conduct and the spirit of cricket after Indian players Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked off without shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts. PCB also requested that Pycroft be removed from officiating the remainder of the tournament.
Details have now emerged regarding the events surrounding Pakistan’s matches against India on September 14 and the UAE on September 17. An official with direct knowledge revealed that Pycroft was informed “four minutes before the toss” by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) venue manager that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with central government approval, had decided that no handshake would take place between Indian captain Suryakumar and Pakistani skipper Salman Agha.
PCB officials argued that Pycroft should have informed the ICC of this unusual directive. Pycroft, however, said he did not have sufficient time but would have done so given the chance. Before the toss, he informed Agha to prevent an awkward situation.
The ICC, after reviewing the matter, determined that Pycroft had not breached any code of conduct. The referee acted within his remit, communicating the ACC’s instructions to preserve the sanctity of the toss and avoid embarrassment.
Ahead of Pakistan’s crucial match against the UAE, PCB threatened to withdraw from the tournament if Pycroft, originally assigned to the match, was not replaced. Following an hour-long delay and meetings between Pycroft and Pakistan’s leadership group, the match proceeded. PCB claimed Pycroft apologized, but sources clarified it was an expression of regret over miscommunication rather than a formal apology.
PCB had filed a formal complaint to ICC General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan, alleging that Pycroft’s actions violated cricketing spirit and MCC laws, and demanded his immediate removal. The ICC, after a thorough investigation including interviews with Pycroft, tournament officials, and the tournament director, concluded that he acted professionally and that the issue was a result of a team-specific directive outside the match referee’s control.
The ICC also warned that replacing match officials at a team’s request would set a dangerous precedent. PCB expressed disappointment at the ICC’s findings, citing gaps in evidence collection and alleging that key witnesses, including Agha and team management, were not consulted.
In the lead-up to the UAE match, tensions escalated, with Pakistan players initially instructed to remain in their hotel. After discussions involving ICC, PCB, and Emirates Cricket Board officials, a meeting was arranged between Pycroft and the Pakistan team, including Agha, head coach Mike Hesson, and team manager Naved Akram Cheema, with Wasim Khan present. Pycroft explained his actions as those of a messenger, expressed regret for any miscommunication, and clarified that failing to inform Agha could have worsened the situation.
Following the meeting, PCB issued a statement suggesting that Pycroft apologized, though ICC reportedly disagreed with that characterization. PCB also released a short video of the discussion without audio. ICC reiterated its willingness to review any code of conduct concerns from the September 14 match, though Pycroft’s role was repeatedly affirmed as proper.
