Pakistan Demands Removal of Referee Andy Pycroft Who Stopped Toss Handshake

It has been reported that match referee Andy Pycroft advised Indian and Pakistani captains not to shake hands.

Pakistan Demands Removal of Referee Andy Pycroft Who Stopped Toss Handshake

PCB has demanded for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft following 'handshake' row during India-Pakistan match. (Image via NDTV Sports)

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The ‘handshake’ controversy following the India-Pakistan encounter at the 2025 Asia Cup seems to be an unending one, with Pakistan Cricket Board having lodged an official complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has demanded Pycroft’s removal from his position. 

The India-Pakistan match on Sunday at the ongoing Asia Cup was a one-sided affair, with the Men in Blue winning by seven wickets. Opting to bat first at the half-filled Dubai International Stadium, Pakistan only managed to score 127/9. While Kuldeep Yadav took three crucial wickets for India, Pakistan’s innings was salvaged slightly by a late burst from Shaheen Afridi, who scored a quick-fire 33 off 16 balls.

However, India’s chase was relentless, as they reached the target in just 15.5 overs. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav led from the front, hitting a much-needed 47 runs off 37 balls in the second innings. Following nationwide calls to boycott the match due to the strained relations between the two countries, Suryakumar and his team sent a strong message by refusing to shake hands with the Pakistani players after the game, walking directly to the dressing room.

The act left the Pakistani players infuriated, who protested by boycotting the post-match presentation ceremony. A day later, the row escalated, with the PCB lodging a complaint against the Indian team for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Match referee Andy Pycroft has also come under fire, with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi demanding the ICC for the immediate removal of the Zimbabwean from the referee-panel for the remainder of the Asia Cup.

The demand stems from allegations that Pycroft advised both captains against shaking hands during the coin toss, despite it being a customary procedure. Mohsin Naqvi in a social media message, claimed that the match referee had violated the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the ‘Spirit of the Game’, arguing that Pycroft should not have given such instructions to the two captains.

The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violation by the Match Referee of the UCC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup.

Mohsin Naqvi in a post on X

Sources also confirm that the Pakistani team has threatened to opt out of the tournament if Andy Pycroft is not removed. It remains to be seen who will officiate Pakistan’s final group-stage match against UAE, a role that was assigned to Pycroft, who is one of only two match referees at the 2025 Asia Cup, the other being Richie Richardson.

Shoaib Akhtar Blasts Pakistan’s ‘Club-Level Cricket’ Display Against India at 2025 Asia Cup

Ex-Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar lambasted the national team’s woeful display against India in the recent group-stage encounter at the ongoing 2025 Asia Cup. The Men in Green, who haven’t secured a victory against their arch-rivals since the 2022 Asia Cup, once again fell to a seven-wicket defeat.

India Pakistan Shoaib Akhtar
Ex-Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed the national team woeful display against India, at 2025 Asia Cup. (via Mint)

The Indian bowlers dismantled Pakistan’s timid batting order, restricting them to a meager first innings total of just 127/9. Only two batters managed to score past the 20-run mark. Pakistan’s bowling performance was equally disappointing, with all three wickets taken by part-timer Saim Ayub. No other bowler managed to claim a wicket, as India comfortably chased down the target with 25 balls to spare.

Former Pakistani national team icon Shoaib Akhtar, who leaves no stone unturned to criticize the team’s performances, noted that the team lacked the skill as well as the professionalism, which resulted in the humbling loss to India. He highlighted the gap that exists between Pakistan and other top teams, stating that other nations are playing ‘high-level cricket’, while the Men in Green are only playing ‘club cricket.’

There’s a vast difference in the quality of cricket that Pakistan plays compared to the rest of the world. Most of the other teams play a high level of cricket, while we are playing club-level cricket.

Shoaib Akhtar said on PTV Sports (H/T: News 18)

The 50-year-old also pointed out that Shaheen Afridi outperformed the entire Pakistani batting lineup, while Saim Ayub was more effective than the entire bowling unit. He concluded his assessment by shockingly stating that the current Pakistani side is only better than the associate nations.