The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written another letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The PCB had urged the ICC to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the match official panels for the Asia Cup 2025.
“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup,” wrote PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
However, the ICC didn’t find any evidence that showed that Pycroft was at fault. They believe all the match referee for the India vs Pakistan game did was inform Salman Ali Agha about their opposition’s decision to not shake hands. A decision Pycroft made to ensure Salman isn’t humiliated during the toss.
PCB adamant about Pycroft’s removal
But the PCB doesn’t agree with this assessment. They have threatened to pull out of the Pakistan and UAE game and from the Asia Cup if the ICC doesn’t take swift action. Following rejection, PCB has written again. They believe ICC didn’t investigate the matter and only performed a formality. PCB stands firm that they’ll boycott the Asia Cup if Pycroft isn’t relieved from his duties.
“We have sent another letter to the ICC. We are not pleased with the response. All the aspects were not reviewed related to Andy Pycroft. The ICC’s response comes as a mere formality. Our stand is firm. Andy Pycroft cannot be the match referee,” a PCB insider told the Hindustan Times.
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