The ICC has officially turned down the PCB's request to remove the match referee

The ICC has officially turned down the PCB's request to remove the match referee

Asia Cup 2025: The PCB complained to the ICC, alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian Skipper Suryakumar Yadav during the toss on September 14, 2025.

PCB’s demand for replacing the Asia Cup match referee Andy Pycroft has been officially rejected by the ICC (International Cricket Council). The possibility of rejection might be conveyed to the PCB on Monday as well.

The message, which is believed to have come from either the ICC operations or legal department, clearly states that the Match Referee did not play a part in the handshake issue during the India-Pakistan match in Dubai on Sunday.

Regarding which PCB has stated that Pakistan Captain Salman Ali Agha was instructed by the Pycroft that he should avoid shaking hands with the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav at the toss time, and thus raised questions about the impartiality of the match official. The ICC explained that Pycrot told Salman Agha what the ACC officials on the ground had said, which helped clarify things and disproved Pakistan's claim that the match referee was working for the Indian team.

The situation has focused attention on the Pakistan-UAE match scheduled for Wednesday. The match referee, a 69-year-old from Zimbabwe, has been chosen for this game, and the PCB has publicly stated that they will not play if he is the referee.

It's unclear whether the ACC, led by PCB president Mohsin Naqvi, can change the referee for the match, as normally the ICC is responsible for appointing all match officials, including umpires and referees.

When asked, the PCB said they haven't received any communication from the ICC.