Inside Story of PCB’s Failed Bid to Oust Match Referee Andy Pycroft
Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign nearly ended in chaos before calm voices prevailed on Monday afternoon. A dramatic standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the role of match referee Andy Pycroft pushed the team to the brink of disqualification at 1600 hrs UAE time, sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).
‘Almost over for Pakistan at 1600 hrs’
According to insiders, the ICC flatly rejected a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demand to remove Pycroft from the entire tournament.
It was almost over for Pakistan… only the intervention of former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja and Subhan Ahmed of the Emirates Cricket Board prevented a disaster:
The matter fell directly under Wasim Khan, ICC’s general manager of cricket. A Pakistan-born Briton, Khan had once served as PCB’s CEO (2019–2021). “Imagine the pressure on Khan,” said another source. “If the ICC had given in, he would have been accused of bias towards Pakistan.”
Why Pakistan Went to War Over a Handshake
The row stemmed from Sunday’s high-voltage India–Pakistan clash — the first meeting between the two neighbours since their military skirmish in May. PCB officials alleged that Pycroft had acted improperly by asking captain Salman Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav before the toss.
On PCB’s insistence, Pycroft later met Agha, head coach Mike Hesson and manager Naveed Cheema.He admitted he should have conveyed the decision earlier, but he never apologised — as claimed in PCB’s press release.
Pycroft explained that he received the ICC’s instruction late and chose to inform Agha directly at the toss. “By doing so, he avoided a bigger embarrassment for Agha, who would have been blindsided had he found out at the last minute,” the source added.
Threats of Boycott and High-level Diplomacy
The PCB escalated matters by writing multiple letters to the ICC demanding Pycroft’s removal. Local media even suggested the team could boycott the tournament, starting with their match against the UAE in Dubai.
At one point, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi — also president of the Asian Cricket Council — consulted Pakistan’s prime minister and foreign office. But it was Ramiz Raja who reminded him of the sanctions Pakistan risked from both the ACC and ICC if they pressed ahead.
Why the ICC Stood Firm
ICC officials refused to bend, fearing a dangerous precedent. “If Pycroft was removed, tomorrow any board could demand the same over disagreements,” said an insider. In the end, cooler heads prevailed. Pycroft stayed, Pakistan stayed, and the Asia Cup survived one of its most dramatic off-field episodes yet.
