Andy Pycroft, who was at the heart of last month’s Asia Cup handshake controversy, was back in focus on Thursday as he officiated the India vs West Indies first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

See Also: India vs Pakistan: BCCI clarifies stand on handshake protocol for Women’s World Cup 2025

The experienced match referee was warmly welcomed when he took charge, a moment that drew plenty of attention given his recent involvement in high-profile incidents.

Introduced on-air by former India coach and commentator Ravi Shastri, the moment carried a lively touch. Shastri, in his trademark style, announced, “ Back in the house all the way from Dubai in the hot seat, Andy Pycroft,” setting the tone for the occasion.

West Indies win the toss and elect to bat first in the 1st Test against #TeamIndia

For more updates - https://t.co/Dhl7RtjvWY #INDvWI #1stTEST #TeamIndia @IDFCfirstbank pic.twitter.com/0aTIgdLXD7

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 2, 2025

Andy Pycroft Fiesco in Asia Cup:

Andy Pycroft grabbed headlines in September after advising captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha to avoid the traditional handshake during the India-Pakistan toss. The move triggered controversy, with the Pakistan Cricket Board demanding his removal from duty.

The issue only grew bigger in Pakistan’s next fixture against the UAE, which faced an unexpected delay. The hold-up came as team officials engaged in last-minute talks with the ICC before Pakistan eventually agreed to step onto the field, highlighting the depth of the tension surrounding the incident.

Shubman Gill officially started his journey as India’s Test captain on Thursday, leading the side on home soil for the first time. The young opener stepped into the leadership role with high expectations surrounding his tenure.

India vs West Indies 1st Test:

West Indies won the toss and opted to take the first strike, choosing to bat. Their decision sets the tone for the match, giving them an opportunity to post a competitive total and put early pressure on India.

Shubman at toss said, “ We have got four Tests (at home) before the end of the year and we would like to win all four. Preparation has been good. Everyone is in great touch, it is about getting into the red-ball mindset. It looks like a very good surface.”

He further said, “ Not disappointed with losing the toss, it has been under covers and there might be some help early on. We have two seamers - Bumrah and Siraj, three spinners - Jaddu Bhai, Washington and Kuldeep, and allrounder Nitish Reddy."

As the captains exchanged handshakes after the toss and line-ups were confirmed, the opening Test was set for action. Unlike the Pakistan controversy, this clash carried no off-field drama—only the anticipation of a hard-fought, competitive battle on the pitch.

Playing XI of India and West Indies:

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Dhruv Jurel(wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy

West Indies

Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Shai Hope(wk), Roston Chase(c), Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales, Khary Pierre, Johann Layne

After a sweet and comfortable victory in the group-stage fixture of the Asia Cup 2025 for India, they will lock horns with Pakistan in the Super 4 stage at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 21. Since the last game a week ago, there has been only the off-field drama on India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav’s refusal to shake hands with his opposite number, Salman Ali Agha.

The Pakistan Cricket Board sent a couple of letters to the ICC to demand the removal of the match referee, Andy Pycroft, from their games or the rest of the event. They didn’t send their captain to the post-match presentation ceremony to protest India’s ‘unsporting’ behavior, which they stated in the media release.

See Also: 'Nothing went wrong when Gautam Gambhir...'- Former India star drops bombshell statement on India's head coach

When the PCB didn’t get what they wanted, they delayed their last group encounter against the United Arab Emirates for an hour. But now the ICC has taken another massive decision for the IND vs PAK super 4 clash in appointing Andy Pycroft as the match referee for the encounter.

ICC names Andy Pycroft match referee for IND vs PAK Super 4 contest in Asia Cup 2025

Even in the last game against the UAE, Pycroft was the match referee. The ICC found no rule or reason to change the individual at the last minute. The referee had conveyed a message from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) venue manager, and had no breach of the rules according to the cricket council.

Pakistan, which threatened to pull out of the tournament unless its request was accepted, held a meeting in Lahore during the game against the UAE in the presence of Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman and ACC president, Ramiz Raja, and Najam Sethi, who are the former chairmen of the PCB.

Due to the continuous drama of the PCB over the handshake saga, the ICC has reportedly considered disciplinary action against the Pakistan board for their misconduct and violation of the rules and regulations. They made the points due to the recorded video of the meeting area with Pycroft, as the no handshake policy is expected to continue in the upcoming India vs Pakistan fixture.

Anil Chaudhary, a previous international umpire, has shared his opinion regarding the various controversies of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the Asia Cup 2025 currently taking place, implying that they were meant to distract from Pakistan losing to India. Chaudhary spoke to ANI, where he said that the handshake controversy, the threat not to play in the game, and the complaint against ICC match referee Andy Pycroft were distractions that were not necessary. 

The disputes began after the game when India refused to shake the hands of the Pakistan players after India cruised to a seven-wicket win in Dubai. Pakistan then decided not to partake in the post-match presentation, eventually filing a complaint with the ICC claiming the spirit of cricket was violated. Chaudhary indicated that no ICC law states that post-match handshakes are mandatory, and that the whole controversy could have been "entirely avoided." 

Watch the video: 

UMPIRE ANIL CHAUDHARY ON HANDS SHAKE CONTROVERSY. (ANI).

- He said "This is for the first time that I am hearing a controversy on handshakes. This handshake ritual started recently and didn't exist earlier, Loss and win should be the focus".pic.twitter.com/n2T2aAQLoq

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) September 19, 2025

Former umpire calls PCB’s complaints avoidable drama

“I think after they lost the game, it was merely a part of trying to turn it around,” Chaudhary said.  "Because in any ICC law book, or playing conditions, there is nothing written that says handshakes at the end of the match, post-match handshakes, is compulsory. This is something that was unnecessarily created.” He also expanded by saying that handshakes have become customary; however, they only became a trend within the past 20 years, but they were never a requirement.

ALSO SEE: Asia Cup 2025 Super 4: Know Teams, Schedule, Venue, Dates, Match Timings in detail

The PCB took things a step further and demanded the match referee, Andy Pycroft's removal due to alleged favoritism, which the ICC declined to consider. Pakistan then threatened to withdraw from their must-win match against the UAE, and on match day, they pushed back their departure from the hotel in Dubai, causing a late start to the match.

Despite the complaints, Chaudhary spoke highly of Pycroft, referring to him as a well-respected member of cricket. "This is a young, generally well-respected, and apparently experienced and existing referee from the ICC elite panel. He is a very well-known former Zimbabwe player, and his record is so good. All this stuff is unnecessary," he remarked.

By canceling press conferences, withholding the team from the field before matches, and making decisions not to attend presentations, Pakistan has created more drama off the pitch than on it. Chaudhary believes these distractions achieve little, especially when other administrators know the issues don't merit a formal complaint.

The standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding match referee Andy Pycroft’s handling of the India-Pakistan clash has largely calmed down. The issue had escalated when the PCB sent repeated letters asking for Pycroft’s removal from all their Asia Cup matches. Eventually, the board softened its stance, citing miscommunication, which brought the controversy close to resolution.

Despite this, the ICC is reportedly assessing whether the PCB breached certain protocols during an internal meeting that involved Pycroft. The global body is considering appropriate steps to address the matter, ensuring rules and procedures were not compromised.

Meanwhile, a fresh report has shed light on events that took place just before Pycroft was set to oversee the toss in the high-pressure Group A fixture between India and Pakistan in Dubai. These behind-the-scenes developments further explain how the row spiraled before reaching its current conclusion.

See Also: Devdutt Padikkal scores 150 runs during IND A vs AUS A 1st unofficial Test in Lucknow

ICC to Take Action Against PCB:

According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Andy Pycroft was informed of the ‘no handshake’ directive only minutes before the toss in the India-Pakistan clash. Just four minutes prior, the Asian Cricket Council’s venue manager instructed him to convey the message on the field, leaving the referee with little time to process or respond.

The ACC venue manager acted after receiving communication from the BCCI, which had secured clearance from the Indian government. This directive was then passed on to Andy Pycroft shortly before the India-Pakistan toss took place. He informed, “There will be no handshake between captains Suryakumar and Salman.”

The PCB, upset over the events since Sunday, argued that Andy Pycroft should have conveyed the "no-handshake" directive to the ICC. However, the referee reportedly received the instruction only minutes before the toss, leaving him with no chance to escalate it.

Faced with limited time, Pycroft chose to brief Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha directly about the protocol. His intention was to avoid an awkward moment had Salman extended the traditional gesture to Suryakumar Yadav, who was bound by the decision. This last-minute communication became the focal point of PCB’s grievances against the Zimbabwean official.

Pakistan reportedly warned of pulling out of their Group A clash against the UAE on Wednesday if their demand to remove Andy Pycroft was not fulfilled. The ICC, however, turned down the request twice, and the match eventually went ahead after being delayed by an hour.

Following this, the PCB stated that Pycroft had apologised to Pakistan’s team manager and captain. But clarifications later revealed that it was not an admission of violating any protocol. Instead, the match referee had only expressed regret over the confusion and miscommunication that unfolded, distancing himself from the accusations levelled by the PCB.

The PCB, in its statement, claimed that the ICC had agreed to initiate an inquiry into a potential code of conduct breach during the September 14 clash. However, the ICC clarified that Andy Pycroft had committed no misconduct, dismissing Pakistan’s allegations.

Senior journalist Waheed Khan has voiced strong criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressing his frustration over the way controversies surrounding the team have been handled. “It is so disappointing. On top of that, our Cricket Board... I mean, look, if you want to create dramas (controversies), don't create them before the match! All this drama is going on before the match! That the match referee...” Khan said, highlighting the PCB’s repeated mishandling of situations.

Khan recalled the incident involving match referee Andy Pycroft, explaining how a press release and a video with no audio were issued claiming Pycroft had apologized over a misunderstanding regarding the toss in the match against India. “And what was the final result? It means, to fool people, a press release was issued. A video was released that had no audio, saying that the match referee, Andy Pycroft, was sitting there. He spoke with the manager, Salman Ali Agha, and the other people... maybe Waseem Khan, because he's Pakistani; they used him. They brought him there. And he said, 'Oh, there was a misunderstanding and miscommunication with me regarding the toss in the match against India,' and he apologized. And that's it! It's finished.”

He also criticized PCB’s failure to act on earlier statements demanding Pycroft’s removal, saying, “Where did that demand go? To remove Andy Pycroft from the tournament? It didn't even happen that he was removed from Pakistan's matches. And now the Pakistan Cricket Board has just kept quiet and sat down. What else could they do?”

Communication Chaos and Controversy

Khan elaborated on the communication chaos surrounding match schedules and the PCB’s mismanagement. “First, they say the match is starting at 7:30. Then a second press release comes from another media officer saying, 'No, it's starting at 8:30.' Then another media person, Amir Mir Sahib, comes and says, 'No, negotiations are still going on.' And with whom are negotiations going on? Mohsin Naqvi Sahib has brought in Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi, Aaqib Javed, and Salman Naseer. If Mohsin Naqvi Sahib still hasn't understood cricket..."

Watch the video here

💥🚨 Senior journalist Waheed khan has exposed @TheRealPCB in his style.

He also said PCB knew before the toss that India is not going to "handshake"! yet Pakistan did drama to fool the fans & targeted Pycroft unnecessary

He also slammed Pakistan cricket as an international… pic.twitter.com/XbufNqBLFv

— Slogger (@kirikraja) September 18, 2025

See Also: On This Day: Birthday of Aakash Chopra who turned into commentator and cricket expert

He added that PCB officials were aware of the no-handshake situation between India and Pakistan but still created unnecessary drama, calling it a “mock-up on a mock-up” in Dubai. Khan’s main point remained that the PCB’s inability to manage controversies and communicate effectively has severely damaged Pakistan cricket’s international reputation.

The recent standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the Asia Cup 2025 took another twist when senior ICC officials intervened. Pakistan had demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft after the “no handshake” row during their clash with India.

Reports suggest that the ICC’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Sanjog Gupta, took charge of the situation. He is believed to have directly engaged with the PCB and other stakeholders to ensure that the tournament’s proceedings were not disrupted. Gupta firmly opposed Pakistan’s demand, making it clear that the ICC would not entertain such requests.

Despite PCB’s strong stance and even hints of withdrawal, Gupta’s intervention helped the ICC maintain its authority. His involvement ultimately ensured that Pycroft continued as match referee, preventing Pakistan’s push for a replacement and keeping the tournament on track without further administrative controversies.

See Also: Shubman Gill signes new business contract amid Asia Cup 2025

PCB’s Official Complaints Against Andy Pycroft:

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accused match referee Andy Pycroft of misconduct during the tense Group A fixture between India and Pakistan in Dubai on September 14. The incident fueled fresh controversy between the two boards.

The matter escalated when India captain Suryakumar Yadav chose not to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha after the game. Later, Suryakumar clarified that the gesture was not personal but a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. He added that it was also a show of solidarity with the Indian armed forces for their role in Operation Sindoor.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed that referee Andy Pycroft did not maintain the spirit of cricket during the India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash. According to their account, Pycroft advised the captains against the traditional exchange of team sheets and allegedly told skipper Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Suryakumar Yadav.

The PCB viewed these actions as biased and raised a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). In their appeal, they requested Pycroft’s removal from further officiating their matches and suggested Richie Richardson as the replacement referee for the remainder of Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign.

Sanjog Gupta in Charge of the Handshake Fiasco:

As per a Cricbuzz report, the ICC, led by Sanjog Gupta, took a strong stand against PCB’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft. The board clarified that there was “no valid reason” for his removal.

An internal review was carried out, and the ICC determined that Pycroft had not breached the Code of Conduct or any standard officiating procedures. The exchange was part of a series of six emails—three from each side—that reflected the tense negotiations and disagreements taking place privately between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the global cricketing authority.

Sanjog Gupta, who became ICC’s CEO in July 2025, personally handled the controversy and headed discussions on behalf of the governing body. On the PCB’s side, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and COO Salman Naseer represented Pakistan’s stance.

Although Pakistan projected the ICC’s decision to hold an inquiry as a “moral win,” the world body clarified that the probe would not directly target Andy Pycroft. Instead, the investigation would remain limited in scope, focusing broadly on the events surrounding the India-Pakistan clash rather than singling out the match referee for misconduct.

Insiders revealed that one idea discussed was to remove Andy Pycroft from officiating only the September 17 clash against UAE to ease Pakistan’s concerns. However, ICC chief Sanjog Gupta dismissed the suggestion, stressing that conceding without proof of misconduct would weaken umpiring authority and create an unhealthy precedent.

Strong Yet Balanced Beginning:

Gupta’s approach in the Pycroft controversy has outlined his leadership style—firm, professional, and free from external influence. By standing firm against PCB’s repeated demands, he signaled that the ICC prioritizes fairness and procedure above politics. His stance is widely seen in cricketing circles as a clear declaration that accountability and integrity will remain central, regardless of which board raises an objection.

The former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja, has made explosive allegations against the match referee, Andy Pycroft, calling the latter the favorite of the Indian cricket team. Raja suggested that the referee had been assigned for the Blue Brigade game deliberately, which was to provide them with unfair advantages during the international fixtures. 

However, a closer examination of the ICC protocols and stats reveals that these accusations are false statements and have been fabricated. His allegations came after the controversial handshake saga during the Asia Cup 2025 clash against Indian, where their players avoided the Salman Ali Agha-led side.

See Also: Robin Uthappa reveals how ‘twisted interview’ created rift between him and Karun Nair in 2016-17 season

“Andy Pyrcroft is the favorite of Team India. I think he is a permanent fixer for them. This blatant, one-sided, and it should not happen on a neutral platform.” Raja declared in a statement as the video went viral on social platforms ahead of Pakistan’s group-stage clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on October 17 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Stats cancel Rami Raja’s false allegation of calling Andy Pycroft India’s favorite

The PCB, to protest the handshake controversy, didn’t send their captain against India in the post-match presentation and called for the removal of Pycroft from the rest of the tournament. When ICC didn’t accept their request, they sent a second letter and lightened their request to remove Pycroft from their clash against the UAE. ICC didn’t accept the second wish either, as the game got delayed for an hour.

Out of Andy Pycroft’s 535 men’s matches, 124 were for India, 107 for England, and 102 for Pakistan.

So, what exactly are you proving here? Maybe start with getting the numbers right before making a point.#jhahil #AsiaCup2025 #PakistanCricket #Pakistan https://t.co/RJkUdBIXsM

— Shubham Shrivastav (@shubhshr28) September 18, 2025

Raja’s statements are fully false. The Zimbabwean has officiated 135 clashes, the most for South Africa, followed by 132 for Sri Lanka. India comes in the third position of the table with 124 fixtures, while Pakistan is at fifth with 102. It reflects how Raja wasn’t sure of the actual number before making such a false statement.

Pakistan, due to Shaheen Afridi’s blistering knock, finished with 146/9 in their 20 overs before earning the victory over the Muhammad Waseem-led side by 41 runs to progress into the Super 4 stage of the competition. They will now face India next in Dubai on September 21.

In the high-pressure environment of international cricket, few people make Pakistan angrier than Andy Pycroft. The veteran Zimbabwean match referee was previously a hard-nosed opener for his country, and after direct experience gained as a coach, he became one of the ICC’s most seasoned officials; he has officiated around 700 matches across formats. 

But his name has become synonymous for Pakistan. The bowling bans that prematurely ended two insufferable star careers for Misbah-ul-Haq, the controversial ‘handshake’ disgrace during the 2025 Asia Cup, it’s all put Pycroft in the realm of an antagonist, rather than quiet and impartial judge, in the cricketing playbook of Pakistan.

The Bowling Action Saga: Why Pakistan Every Time?

Pycroft's awkward relationship with Pakistan goes back more than 20 years beginning with dubious reports of bowling actions. While officials do not personally accuse actions umpires trigger a report, officials' endorsement of his frequent presence in pivotal moments continues to produce suspicion in match-fixing affairs.

Some key flashpoints were:

• 2001 - Shoaib Malik - reported for elbow extension issues in his off-spin. Cleared later, but suspicions continued even as he later scored a Test hundred.
• 2014 - Saeed Ajmal - reported after the Galle Test vs Sri Lanka when he was at the pinnacle of his career. Biomechanical tests ultimately deemed him remedially banned at his peak. Ajmal's demise over the next 12 months ended a formidable streak of bowling even as he took all of 96 Test wickets in 2013.
• 2014 - Mohammad Hafeez - reported after the first Test of the series in Abu Dhabi vs New Zealand. He received a 12-month suspension. While he re-modeled his action he never regained his all-rounder prowess.

For Pakistan fans, it was more than coincidence. Losing two premier spinners in a specific era where rival teams were trying to decode changes to spin made it feel like a witch hunt of sorts when playing Pakistan, Ajmal's demise in particular was memorable and will leave scars for animosity for 5 tours.

Fact-check with scrutiny suggests that Pycroft didn't single handedly "target" them. He didn't personally recommend action. He chose to act as per ICC and IRB protocols, but the public narrative stuck; Why were two of Pakistan's major spinners ruined under his watch?

The 2025 Asia Cup: A Handshake That Never Took Place

The long-standing mistrust came to a head on September 14, 2025 in Dubai during the India-Pakistan matchup in the Asia Cup. While the match ended with an easy win for India, the real story lived off the field.

In the weeks prior, following a heinous terror attack in Pahalgam, India’s Government, BCCI, and others counselled against formal courties. In the case of the toss, it wasn’t a handshake, reportedly at Pycroft’s suggestion, to avoid an embarrassing situation on broadcast. After the match, India’s players skipped the dramatics entirely, holding a show of respect for the victims.

Mike Hesson and Salman Ali Agha, coach and manager of Pakistan, waited to no avail. The day after the match, PCB delivered an astounding complaint, chastising Pycroft for breaching the Spirit of Cricket and favouring India.

• PCB demanded one thing: Pycroft be removed immediately.
• ICC determined this was not going to happen and stated he acted on ACC instructions, not on behalf of India.
• Compromise: by September 17, out of the limelight, Pycroft was replaced for the remainder of Pakistan’s matches by Richie Richardson.

On social media, Pycroft was instantly labeled “the villain”, with viral posts recirculating images of him with Shoaib Malik in 2001, and Suryakumar Yadav again, in 2025. Pakistani media took the opportunity to amplify PCB’s outrage, while Indian media was much more dismissive, framing it as a PCB over-reaction.

ALSO SEE: Suryakumar Yadav’s birthday post for PM Modi reignites IND vs PAK handshake controversy

Biased or Convenient Scapegoat?

At 69, Pycroft is no stranger to the spotlight. He has been a member of the ICC Elite Panel since 2005, required to apply the rules in many politically sensitive matches. There has never been any substantive proof of misconduct, and in the Asia Cup inquiry, the ICC exonerated him.

Nonetheless, Pycroft personifies cricket's power dynamic through Pakistan's eyes. The bans on Ajmal and Hafeez were grievous blows to a golden generation of cricketers. The handshake dismissal was emblematic of India's position in the power dynamic. Even a fake X account this year impersonating him, a hoax that was ultimately discredited, only fed the idea that he was biased.

For others he is simply a scapegoat. Suspicious actions were signalled by the umpires across the globe- from Sri Lanka's Senanayake to New Zealand's Williamson- and according to the ICC it is not a requirement to shake hands with players from the opposing team. The underlying fact is in a sport such as cricket which is politically a bit of a tinderbox - when India and Pakistan face each other, neutrality almost impossible.

Beyond Pycroft: Spirit, Politics, and the Game

This episode raises a more general question: what is the role of officials when cricket is caught up in a shorthand for geopolitics? For Pakistan, getting rid of Pycroft was a symbolic victory; for India, security was prioritized ahead of sentiment.

Pycroft himself has allowed the dust to settle, as he has done in the past; but he reminds us that, in South Asia’s most intense cricketing rivalry, officials and umpires do not just manage the laws of cricket, they become the fulcrum for animosity.

In the words of one frustrated supporter on social media: “PCB should be focusing on winning games not referees”, only to add that this meeting nonetheless offered proof everything is possible with a Pycroft officiating. The notion of Pycroft as villain is too big, too recent for many to move on.

Pakistan’s threat to pull out of the Asia Cup after demanding the removal of ICC referee Andy Pycroft could be very costly. If they go ahead with it, the PCB might lose around USD 12–16 million. In the ACC, five main teams India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan each get 15 percent of the annual revenue, while the rest is shared by smaller teams. Revenue streams include broadcast deals, sponsorships, ticketing, and other sources.

From this Asia Cup alone, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) projected earnings are estimated to be between USD 12 to 16 million. With the cricket board not as financially strong as the BCCI, a pullout could spell disaster. Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) recently signed an eight-year deal (2024-2031) with the ACC for USD 170 million, covering broadcast rights for the men’s, women’s, and Under-19 Asia Cups.

PCB chief and Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Mohsin Naqvi, has openly criticized Pycroft, blaming him for the controversy triggered by India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan players. However, the ICC has refused to remove Pycroft, rejecting Pakistan’s demand.

Financial and Political Stakes for Pakistan

A source familiar with PCB affairs told PTI, “Can Naqvi risk Pakistan losing around USD 16 million out of a projected budget of USD 227 million for the fiscal year? That will be roughly seven percent of the annual PCB revenue gone. It will be walking on thin ice for him. But again, as one of the important ministers of Pakistan, he also needs to keep his respect in front of his countrymen.”

See Also: [Picture] Former India batter practices with Rohit Sharma ahead of AUS vs IND 2025 ODIs

If Pakistan were to withdraw, it would likely face isolation in the ACC boardroom, with other directors possibly objecting to it receiving its 15 percent share without participating in a marquee event. Naqvi, as ACC head, could also face backlash from the official broadcaster, which might refuse to pay the agreed-upon fee. With the India-Pakistan match being the biggest revenue generator, any pullout could mean significant losses for advertisers and the broadcaster. Therefore, Pycroft is expected to continue as referee in Pakistan’s game against the UAE, unless other ACC nations agree to adjust match assignments.

In a surprising turn of events at the Asia Cup 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will ask match referee Andy Pycroft to step aside from Pakistan's upcoming matches, following the succession of events during the high-pressure India vs Pakistan encounter in Dubai last Sunday. 

Pycroft at the centre of preceding events

The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) submitted an official complaint against Pycroft, accusing him of partisanship, after it was alleged that he advised Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to immediately shake hands with Suryakumar Yadav. This enraged the PCB, who stated that the request constituted favoured treatment and a breach of the 'code of conduct'. 

The ICC rejected the PCB complaint and stated that Pycroft was simply acting on orders issued for that match by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officials. According to those officials, the instruction not to shake hands with each captain was a broader decision of the ACC, and not an isolated order from Pycroft.

No Pycroft for Pakistan matches

Although the ICC dismissed the PCB's complaint, pressure from Pakistan has caused a compromise to be implemented. According to ARY News, Pycroft has been pulled from officiating Pakistan's final group stage match, with former West Indies captain Richie Richardson stepping in as the alternate referee. As such, Pycroft can continue to officiate other fixtures in the event, but will no longer supervise any matches involving Pakistan.

PCB holds firm

Sources indicate that the PCB is adamant that Pycroft be fully removed from Pakistan's matches. The board believes Pycroft shows favoritism to India and has persuaded the ICC and ACC to react. "The PCB held firm and resisted backing down from their position of removing Andy Pycroft. They are insistent that he should not officiate Pakistan's matches," said the source.

ACC in the middle

The Asian Cricket Council has been trying to find a way to resolve this standoff. Conversations have taken place with the PCB, and the middle ground suggested was assigning Richie Richardson to Pakistan's matches and leaving Pycroft on the referee panel.

ALSO SEE: 'Please know...'- Former MI captain reacts to Pakistan media quotes on Asia Cup 2025 handshake controversy

ICC denies PCB's entire request

While ICC confirmed that Pycroft will remain a member of the event's referee panel, it declined PCB's request to remove him entirely from the tournament. An official letter, registering the rejection of the PCB's request, was sent to the PCB earlier this week.

Sources state that the ICC also reiterated that Pycroft's actions were commissioned and conducted within the ACC's guidance and had no relevance to India and its interests.

The move to assign Pakistan's matches to Richie Richardson is an in-between way to make sure the Asia Cup continues smoothly and does not escalate. Now that Pakistan has not backed down and the ICC does not want to remove Pycroft, this whole situation adds another interesting wrinkle to a fiery tournament.