During the Asia Cup, a controversy erupted over India-Pakistan match refree Andy Pycroft due to a handshake issue.
Sources say minutes before the toss on September 14, Pycroft was told that the teams wouldn’t shake hands. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a complaint against Pycroft, saying he had breached the ICC’s Code of Conduct as the Indian team walked off without shaking hands. PCB wanted him removed from the job.
Apparently, four minutes before the toss, Pycroft was told by an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) manager that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with government approval had decided there would be no handshake. PCB said Pycroft should have informed the ICC but he said he didn’t have time. He told Pakistan’s captain to avoid a potential snub.
The ICC doesn’t see Pycroft’s actions as a code breach but as authorized. Before Pakistan’s match against UAE, PCB threatened to pull out if Pycroft wasn’t replaced. The match went ahead after a meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan’s leadership.
PCB claimed Pycroft apologised but sources say he only expressed regret for the misunderstanding. PCB complained to the ICC, saying Pycroft was misconduct and had breached the spirit of the game. They wanted him removed.
Read Also:- IPL 2026 Auction: Remaining Purse & Player Slots for Each Franchise
The ICC said they investigated and found Pycroft wasn’t at fault. They said Pycroft was following instructions from the ACC manager and acted professionally to avoid embarrassment. The ICC said the handshake issue should be addressed by the tournament organisers.
The ICC said changing officials based on a team’s request would set a bad precedent. PCB was disappointed, saying there were discrepancies and biased review.
In the midst of this, PCB was considering pulling out of the Asia Cup if Pycroft wasn’t removed. A meeting was called between ICC, PCB and Emirates Cricket Board officials. PCB wanted Pycroft removed but the ICC stood by him.
With time running out, a meeting was called between Pycroft and Pakistan’s team where Pycroft explained their grievances and what he did. He regretted the miscommunication.Then PCB said Pycroft apologised which the ICC didn’t like. PCB released the video of the meeting and said the ICC was willing to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct breach. But that’s unlikely to happen as ICC had already told PCB multiple times that Pycroft wasn’t at fault.
