Dubai: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup, accusing him of violating the spirit of the game during India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council, announced the demand on social media, stating that the board had formally lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“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. We have demanded his immediate removal from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi posted on X.
The controversy erupted after Indian players Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked off the field without the customary handshake with their Pakistani counterparts.
The move, which the PCB described as “unsporting,” left Pakistan players surprised.
In protest, captain Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation, with team manager Naveed Cheema filing a formal complaint.
According to the PCB, Pycroft had told Salman Ali Agha before the toss not to shake hands with India’s captain, a directive that Pakistan said went against the spirit of sportsmanship.
“Team behaviour during and after the game was influenced by the match referee’s instructions, which we find unacceptable,” the board said in a statement.
Naqvi, expressing disappointment after the match, wrote: “Utterly disappointed by the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let’s hope future victories are celebrated with grace.”
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India, however, maintained its stance throughout the match. Even at the toss, Suryakumar avoided the handshake with Salman, setting the tone for what followed.
Speaking after the victory, the Indian captain said: “We took a team call. Some things are beyond sportsmanship. We dedicate this victory to our armed forces who took part in ‘Operation Sindoor’ and stand with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.”
The incident has deepened tensions around the high-profile fixture, with the PCB’s demand for Pycroft’s removal now putting the spotlight on the ICC’s next course of action.
