An undated picture of ICC match referee Andy Pycroft. — Screengrab through Fb@iccHigh-level PCB assembly set to happen, say sources.PCB had demanded removing of Andy Pycroft from Asia Cup.Controversy arises after Pak,Ind skippers don’t shake fingers.
“Pakistan will play against the UAE after the removal of the match referee,” the individuals conversant in the matter mentioned, because the Males In Inexperienced’s pre-match press convention was additionally cancelled. Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) high-level assembly is predicted to determine on the crew’s future within the ongoing event.
In an announcement, PCB’s spokesperson mentioned that the board has not but taken a closing resolution relating to the Asia Cup. “Consultations are ongoing, and a final decision will be made by tomorrow. The decision will be taken keeping Pakistan’s interests in view,” the spokesperson harassed.
The PCB had filed an official criticism with the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC), accusing Pycroft of violating the “Spirit of Cricket” by allegedly asking the Pakistan and India captains to not shake fingers on the toss earlier than their Asia Cup 2025 fixture on Sunday.
The criticism additionally referred to the absence of the customary handshake between the 2 sides after the match.
In the meantime, the Indian media has reported that the ICC has turned down the PCB’s request to take away match referee Pycroft from the continuing Asia Cup. In line with the experiences, the ICC formally knowledgeable the PCB of its resolution final night time, dismissing Pakistan’s stance that Pycroft had acted on the behest of the Indian crew.
The controversy arose after Pakistan and India’s captains prevented a handshake on the toss throughout their September 14 Asia Cup fixture. The identical was repeated in direction of the tip of the match, when the gamers of the opposing groups shook fingers as per cricketing custom, the place the Indian crew skipped the customary post-match handshake.
Whereas the Indian gamers congratulated one another on the dugout after the match, they kept away from acknowledging or shaking fingers with the Pakistani crew.
Pakistan’s gamers lined up anticipating the customary handshake, solely to see the Indian crew retreat and shut the dressing room doorways.
India’s victorious captain, Suryakumar Yadav, defended his crew’s resolution to not shake fingers with the Pakistan gamers, saying that it was taken in alignment with their authorities and cricket board.
“We are aligned with the government and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Some things are above sportsmanship. Is it really sportsmanship if you don’t even shake hands with the opposing team? That was our answer,” he mentioned.
Sunday’s match, the primary ever for the reason that two international locations had been concerned in an armed battle triggered by India’s cross-border assault, adopted by Pakistan’s retaliation and launch of “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”.
The hostilities left greater than 70 individuals lifeless in missile, drone, and artillery exchanges earlier than a ceasefire was ultimately reached.
The neighbours haven’t met on both facet’s soil in a bilateral collection since 2012 and solely play one another in worldwide tournaments on impartial floor as a part of a compromise deal.
