The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly rejected claims from the Indian media suggesting that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has dismissed its demand for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Reports in India Today alleged that the ICC had turned down the PCB’s request and officially communicated its decision. However, the PCB clarified on Tuesday that no such response has been received from the ICC.
The controversy began after Pakistan lodged a complaint against Pycroft’s conduct during the high-profile match against India. According to the PCB, Pycroft’s actions, including preventing the traditional handshake at the toss between captains and instructing Pakistan’s media manager not to record the incident, undermined the spirit of the game.
Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, formally raised concerns with tournament director Andrew Russel, who reportedly indicated that the directions had come from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or possibly the Indian government.
Amid growing tensions, both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the ICC engaged in discussions to find a solution.
Reports suggested that one compromise under consideration would be to replace Pycroft only in Pakistan’s fixtures, rather than removing him from the entire tournament. Indian media claimed that former West Indies cricketer Richie Richardson could step in as match referee for Pakistan’s matches.
Despite these reports, the PCB has maintained its position, reiterating that it will not participate in the remaining Asia Cup matches if Pycroft continues to officiate. The standoff has cast uncertainty over Pakistan’s next fixture against the United Arab Emirates, scheduled for Wednesday.
The situation underscores broader tensions between cricketing authorities in Pakistan and India, with the PCB standing firm on what it describes as a matter of principle and fairness in the tournament’s administration.
