PCB Calls for Pycroft’s Ouster Following Handshake Controversy in Asia Cup Clash

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup 2025, following Pakistan’s Group A match against India in Dubai.

After the match, the PCB filed an official protest with the referee. The protest was initiated because the Indian players, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, refused to engage in the traditional post-match handshake with the Pakistani team.

Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, announced on social media, “The PCB has filed a complaint with the ICC regarding the match referee’s violations of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. We are demanding the immediate removal of the match referee from the Asia Cup.”

Pakistan’s complaint to the International Cricket Council came after Andy Pycroft, who is from Zimbabwe, failed to take action following the protest the previous night.

The PCB’s statement explained, “Team manager Naveed Cheema lodged a strong protest against the Indian players’ unsporting behavior of not shaking hands, which goes against the spirit of the game. In protest, we decided not to send our captain to the post-match ceremony.”

Published on September 15, 2025.