PCB Calls for Removal of Asia Cup Referee Andy Pycroft After India-Pakistan Handshake Controversy

A major controversy erupted after India's seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup match in Dubai on Sunday. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, dedicating their win to the armed forces following Operation Sindoor. This came after a Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 tourists.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) responded by filing a formal complaint with the ICC. They claimed match referee Andy Pycroft had instructed the captains not to shake hands at the toss. The PCB demanded Pycroft's removal from the Asia Cup through a complaint to ICC General Manager Wasim Khan.Who is Andy Pycroft?Andy Pycroft, a former Zimbabwe cricketer, has an interesting history in cricket. Though his playing career was brief, with just three Tests and 20 ODIs, he made notable contributions. His standout moment came when he scored 104 runs against an Australian B side that included cricket legends Shane Warne and Steve Waugh.Pycroft's journey in cricket didn't end with his playing days. He took on various roles in cricket management, including coaching Zimbabwe's Under-19 team and serving as a selector. He briefly coached the national team but stepped down during the 2003 World Cup due to selection disputes.Today, Pycroft is one of cricket's most experienced match referees. He has officiated 103 Test matches since 2009, making him the fourth most experienced referee in Test cricket history. His connection with India goes back to his Test debut in Harare in 1992, where he scored 39 and 46 runs. Recently, he was the match referee when Nitish Kumar Reddy scored his first Test century during India's tour of Australia in 2024-25.