Pakistan threatened to pull out of the Asia Cup 2025 unless the International Cricket Council (ICC) removes match referee Andy Pycroft. The issue arose during Sunday’s India-Pakistan match in Dubai. Pycroft allegedly told captains not to shake hands at the toss. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) says this broke ICC rules and cricket’s spirit, prompting a formal complaint.
During the high-stakes Group A clash, won by India by seven wickets, Pycroft reportedly instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and India’s Suryakumar Yadav to skip the handshake at the toss. Meanwhile, India’s players also avoided handshakes after the match. In response, Pakistan boycotted the post-match ceremony. The PCB, led by chairman Mohsin Naqvi, called Pycroft’s actions a violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC Laws. They are demanding his immediate removal.
🚨BREAKING🚨
PCB demands removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the panel of match referees for the Asia Cup pic.twitter.com/iIRW7Pv8in
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 15, 2025The PCB insists that Pakistan’s participation in upcoming matches, such as the one against the UAE on September 17, depends on the ICC replacing Pycroft. Team manager Naveed Akram Cheema protested India’s “unsporting” post-match behaviour. However, he stressed Pycroft’s directive set the tone. The board argues it undermined fair play in a tense rivalry. This rivalry was already worsened by a recent four-day conflict in May 2025 after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Read: India Beats Pakistan by 7 Wickets in Asia Cup 2025 Dubai Match
India-Pakistan cricket matches are rare, limited to multi-nation tournaments due to political tensions. The handshake snub, following Pycroft’s alleged order, has fueled anger in Pakistan. The PCB’s demand tests the ICC’s neutrality, with the Asian Cricket Council reportedly considering action against India. This controversy adds strain to an already charged rivalry, drawing global attention.
The dispute over Pycroft’s actions threatens the Asia Cup’s schedule and cricket’s values. Pakistan’s boycott threat could disrupt Group A and spark wider debates. These debates would be about fairness in sports governance. Fans and officials alike are watching to see if the ICC will act to preserve the tournament’s integrity. It is important to uphold cricket’s spirit of respect.
