ICC Rejects PCB's Request to Remove Match Referee Pycroft Amid Handshake Controversy

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially rejected PCB's demand to replace match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup. The possible rejection, which Cricbuzz had reported about on Monday, is believed to have been conveyed to the PCB last night.

The communication, purported to have been sent either by the ICC operations or legal department, makes it clear that the Match Referee had no role in the handshake controversy during India-Pakistan match in Dubai on Sunday.

The PCB pointed out that Pycroft asked Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha to avoid shaking hands with the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav at the toss and thus questioned the neutrality of the match official. However, the ICC has reasoned it out saying Pycrot relayed to Salman Agha what was conveyed to him by the ACC officials on the ground, thereby clearing the air and refuting Pakistan's contention that the match referee was acting on behalf of the Indian team.

The development has put the Pakistan-UAE game on Wednesday in focus. The 69-year-old Zimbabwean is the designated referee for the game and the PCB has taken a public stand of not taking the field if Pycroft (69) is the match official.

It is not clear if the ACC, headed by PCB president Mohsin Naqvi, can attempt to change the match referee for the Pakistan-UAE game, but normally all the appointments of the match officials - umpires and match referees - are done by the ICC.

When contacted, the PCB has denied receiving any communication from the ICC.

More to follow...