ICC Denies PCB Request to Replace Match Referee Pycroft Ahead of Asia Cup
ICC rejects PCB’s demand, Andy Pycroft to continue officiating Pakistan matches in Asia Cup
DUBAI, Sep 16: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from officiating in the ongoing Asia Cup. The PCB had raised concerns after Pycroft allegedly asked Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav during their match on Sunday.
An ICC source confirmed that the board’s plea was reviewed and officially denied late Monday night. Pycroft, the 69-year-old Zimbabwean official, is set to oversee Pakistan’s final group-stage game against the UAE on Wednesday, September 17.
Additionally, Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema had filed a complaint with the Asian Cricket Council, claiming that Pycroft’s instructions led to the non-exchange of team sheets between the two captains, a customary practice in international cricket.
