“Take it up with the Asia Cup organisers”: ICC Issues Blunt Six-Point Rebuttal to PCB

The ICC responded after the PCB submitted two formal requests to remove Andy Pycroft from the match referee panel at the ongoing Asia Cup.

ICC Rejects PCB Allegations, Stands by Pycroft

On Wednesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a six-point rebuttal, dismissing the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) claims that match referee Andy Pycroft was responsible for the no-handshake controversy during the India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash at Dubai International Stadium.

The response followed two formal requests from the PCB seeking Pycroft’s removal from the tournament’s match referee panel. Pakistan alleged that Pycroft instructed captain Salman Agha not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav and even prevented the exchange of team sheets. In their first letter sent Monday, the day after the India match, Pakistan threatened to pull out. When the International Cricket Council rejected the request, PCB persisted with a second letter.

Amid the standoff, Pakistan players were reportedly instructed to remain in their hotel instead of heading to the stadium for their final Group A match against the UAE. Despite the protests, the International Cricket Council confirmed that Pycroft would continue officiating, including in the Pakistan-UAE fixture.

The International Cricket Council clarified that Pycroft had adhered strictly to the rules and regulations and shifted the responsibility to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and tournament organisers, stating that decisions regarding handshakes were made by the organisers, not the ICC or the match referee. This effectively directed the PCB to raise their concerns with the ACC, headed by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Here’s ICC’s six-point rebuttal sent to PCB

1. The ICC based its investigation solely on the PCB’s report, noting that no supporting evidence or statements from team members were submitted.

2. Following the inquiry, the ICC found no misconduct by match referee Andy Pycroft; his actions were consistent with instructions from the ACC Venue Manager.

3. Pycroft acted to preserve the sanctity of the toss and avoid potential embarrassment, and was not at fault in any aspect of the incident.

4. The ICC clarified that regulating team- or tournament-specific protocols outside the area of play is the responsibility of tournament organizers and team management, not the match referee.

5. The PCB’s primary concern—handshakes not taking place—was a decision made by tournament organizers, and the ICC advised them to direct complaints accordingly.

6. Amid the Pakistan-UAE match delay, the PCB held a meeting with former chairpersons Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi; chairman Mohsin Naqvi later confirmed the team would proceed to the stadium.

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