The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from officiating in the ongoing Asia Cup.
The PCB had filed a complaint alleging that Pycroft, at the toss before the India–Pakistan clash on Sunday, asked Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav. The board also claimed that it was on Pycroft’s insistence that the customary exchange of team sheets between captains did not take place.
An ICC source confirmed, “Late last night, ICC had sent a reply to PCB stating that Pycroft won’t be removed and their plea has been rejected.”
Pycroft, 69, is scheduled to officiate Pakistan’s final group stage game against the UAE on Wednesday, despite PCB’s protest. Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema had separately lodged a complaint with the Asian Cricket Council over the incident.
