Pakistan is ready to take on UAE in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 after the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft over handshake snub controversy,
According to the sources, Richie Richardson will officiate today’s fixture between Pakistan and UAE. This match is crucial for both teams to advance to the Super Fours of the continental tournament.
On the other hand, sources revealed that PCB has penned another letter to the ICC over the latter’s refusal to accept its demand of Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup 2025
Taking a firm stand on the issue, the PCB has rejected the ICC’s decision to not take action against the match referee.
The board, as per the sources, has refused to play matches supervised by Pycroft and is standing on its decision to boycott the matches if its demands are not met.
Furthermore, the PCB has termed the ICC’s inquiry against the match referee as a mere formality, stressing that neither all aspects were examined for inquiry nor relevant people were contacted.
In its letter, the PCB has said that Pakistan will agree to play after all its reservations are addressed a formal announcement of acceptance of demand is made.
Sources said that the cricketing authority as no choice but to remove umpire from Pakistani matches after Pakistan’s tough stance.
During the Pakistan-India clash, controversy began at the toss when match referee Andy Pycroft told Pakistan captain Salman Agha there would be no handshake.
Pycroft had already instructed Pakistan’s media manager not to let this be recorded.
At the end of the game, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema raised objections with tournament director Andrew Russell.
Russell reportedly said the instructions had come from the Indian cricket board and later added they were actually from the Indian government.
Yesterday, Pakistan were planning a strong and strict response after International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected its demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft.
Sources revealed that in its response to Pakistan, ICC said it is willing to remove Pycroft from Pakistan matches but not from the entire Asia Cup 2025 fixture.
However, PCB decided to strictly respond as a high level meeting was held in Islamabad with senior government official in attendance.
Sources further said that the strict response can include boycotting the Asia Cup 2025 tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier dismissed reports from media claiming that the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected its demand.
The PCB clarified that no such response has been received from the ICC. The board said that the reports being circulated in Indian media are “baseless and without foundation.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended its Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, after he delayed sending a formal complaint to the ICC regarding India’s conduct during an Asia Cup match.
According to sources, Wahla was removed because the letter to the ICC was written late.
The board felt he failed to respond in time to the behaviour of the Indian team and the match referee.
Also read: Who is Andy Pycroft and why he’s in the Asia cup spotlight
