Pakistan Cricket Board submits second appeal to ICC, requests removal of match referee

Pakistan may have stepped back from its threat to pull out of the Asia Cup, but its discontent with match referee Andy Pycroft continues. The PCB remains firm in its objection and has escalated the issue further.

According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board has now sent another letter to the International Cricket Council, once again pushing for Pycroft’s replacement. The board has specifically requested that former West Indies captain Richie Richardson take over officiating duties for Pakistan’s remaining fixtures in the tournament.

The renewed demand was reportedly sent late Tuesday evening, highlighting the PCB’s persistence in seeking a change. However, as of now, the ICC has not accepted or acted upon the request, maintaining its earlier position on the matter. This ongoing standoff adds yet another layer of controversy to the Asia Cup 2025, with Pakistan continuing to voice dissatisfaction despite staying in the competition.

See Also: Is Pakistan Boycotting match against UAE in ongoing Asia Cup 2025?

Pakistan Cricket Board Send Another Letter to ICC:

Andy Pycroft has been assigned as the match referee for Pakistan’s crucial do-or-die clash against the UAE later in the evening, a fixture that will determine their progress in the Asia Cup.

The Pakistan Cricket Board first wrote to the ICC seeking the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, but their request was denied. PCB then threatened to pull out of the Asia Cup if demands weren’t met. Despite the rejection, they once again submitted an official letter to the ICC reiterating their stance on the issue. 

The uproar started after the India-Pakistan encounter on Sunday, when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team chose not to engage in the customary post-match handshake with the Pakistani players. In response, Pakistan’s skipper Salman Ali Agha expressed his displeasure by skipping the official post-match presentation ceremony, further fueling the ongoing controversy around the incident.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) placed the blame on Andy Pycroft, alleging that he instructed captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav. They also claimed Pycroft stopped the traditional exchange of team sheets before the match began.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar clarified India’s stand after the game. He explained that the team’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan was a deliberate move to honor the victims of the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack. He also emphasized that it was a mark of respect for the Indian Armed Forces, who launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation.

Pakistan criticized the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands, calling it “unsporting,” and accused referee Andy Pycroft of showing bias. Following this, the PCB issued a withdrawal threat and formally requested Pycroft’s removal, but the ICC dismissed the demand.

If Pakistan follows through with its boycott threat, the consequences could be severe. The board risks losing nearly USD 16 million in revenue, and such a move would harm its reputation internationally. The situation also reflects poorly on PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who currently serves as the president of the Asian Cricket Council, making the standoff even more sensitive.