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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup. The board warned it would reconsider continuing in the tournament if he is not replaced.
According to sources, the PCB in its letter accused Pycroft of neglecting the Spirit of the Game in Sunday’s clash between Pakistan and India in Dubai. The board said it had repeatedly stressed the importance of protecting the Spirit of the Game, but the referee neglected his duties. It further alleged that Pycroft violated the ICC Code of Conduct and acted against the MCC laws, calling his behavior a “serious breach.”
The controversy began after Indian players refused to exchange handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts following the match. Earlier, both captains also avoided the traditional handshake at the toss. Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson strongly criticized the conduct, describing it as “against the spirit of the game.”
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav fueled tensions further with political remarks after the win.
“We stand with the victims of the Pahalgam attack and their families. We dedicate today’s win to our armed forces,” Yadav said.
Reacting to the incident, Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema lodged a formal protest, terming India’s behavior “a violation of sportsmanship.” He also revealed that the match referee had advised the captains not to shake hands at the toss, but gave no such instruction for after the game.
As a mark of protest, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony. Coach Hesson defended the decision, saying: “What the Indian team did was inappropriate. Pakistan’s response was natural.”
The PCB has now escalated its stance, insisting Pycroft must be removed from the Asia Cup or it will not play further matches. Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has also taken notice of the controversy and is considering possible disciplinary action against the Indian team.
