PCB Demands Removal of Match Referee Andy Pycroft After India-Pakistan Asia Cup Controversy

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked for match referee Andy Pycroft to be removed, saying he broke the ICC’s Code of Conduct during their game against India. PCB chief and Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi shared this update on Twitter on Monday, September 15. The match between India and Pakistan was full of tension. At the toss, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha. The players from both teams also didn’t shake hands at the end of the game.

The missing handshake angered the Pakistan captain, who skipped the post-match presentation ceremony. On Monday, the situation got worse as Pakistan filed formal complaints against the Indian players and match referee Andy Pycroft. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi shared the news on X, saying Pakistan has asked for the match referee to be removed from the tournament immediately.

"The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violation by the Match Referee of the UCC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup," Mohsin Naqvi tweeted.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft after he allegedly told Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with India’s captain at the toss. According to a PCB statement, the team has lodged a protest, calling the referee’s behaviour against the spirit of the game.

The statement also said that Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony in protest, as the host of the ceremony was Indian. Under the ICC code of conduct, teams are expected to congratulate their opponents at the end of a match.

Article 2 – Code of Conduct Offences

The ICC Playing Conditions for Test, ODI, and T20 matches explain the Spirit of Cricket. Cricket is enjoyed not just by following the rules, but also by playing in the right spirit.

Captains are mainly responsible for fair play, but all players, umpires, coaches, parents, and teachers should follow it too. Respect is key: respect your captain, teammates, opponents, and umpires. Play hard but fair, accept umpire decisions, create a positive atmosphere, encourage others, and stay disciplined even when things don’t go your way.

The India vs Pakistan match was surrounded by controversy from the start. Instead of the national anthems, the song “Jalebi Baby” played over the loudspeakers. At the toss, India’s Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, adding to tensions after the Pahalgam attack. India went on to win comfortably, finishing 25 balls and 7 wickets ahead, but their players left the field without shaking hands with Pakistan. The two teams could meet again in the Super 4s if Pakistan qualifies for the next stage.

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