The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has warned it will not play any further matches in the ongoing Asia Cup if match referee Andy Pycroft is not immediately removed from his duties. The warning follows an incident where Pycroft allegedly prevented the captains of Pakistan and India from shaking hands during their high-voltage match in Dubai.
According to PCB sources, the board has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The protest letter describes the referee’s actions as a “serious violation” of both the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws governing the Spirit of Cricket.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the protest on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the board had demanded Pycroft’s removal and called his conduct “damaging to the integrity of the game.”
Details of the Incident
The PCB claims that:
- Pycroft told captain Salman Ali Agha before the toss that “there would be no handshake.”
- He instructed Pakistan’s media manager not to record the moment.
- His actions undermined the traditions of cricket and failed to fulfill the responsibilities of his office.
Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, also raised objections with tournament director Andrew Russell after the game. According to the letter, Russell admitted the directive initially came from the Indian cricket board but was later clarified as “instructions from the Indian government.”
