PCB ask for removal of Andy Pycroft from match referee panel in the aftermath of the handshake controversy.
Given that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has attempted to aggravate the Asia Cup scenario, the handshake controversy may have just gotten worse. The PCB has now slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) official after protesting the Indian team with the ICC match referee the day before. Andy Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup match refereeing panel has now been asked.
“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC 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, who is the chairman of the PCB, has said in a social media post.
Since the Indian team declined to shake hands with the Pakistani players after they defeated the bitter rivals by seven wickets on Sunday, September 14, at Dubai International Stadium, Pycroft (69) has been at the focus of controversy for reportedly failing to take action in response to the PCB’s objection. Additionally, the Zimbabwean is accused of urging Salman Ali Agha of Pakistan and Suryakumar Yadav of India, the two captains, not to shake hands during the toss. It’s unclear if one or all of these accusations form the basis of the PCB’s complaint.
“Team manager Naveed Cheema lodged a strong protest against Indian players’ behaviour of not shaking hands. It was deemed as unsporting and against the sport of the game. As a protest we did not send our captain to the post match ceremony,” the Pakistan team management said.
Having served on the ICC Elite Panel since 2009, Pycroft is among the most seasoned match referees. The ICC had sent West Indian Richie Richardson’s name for the Asia Cup along with Pycroft’s nomination. Three additional match referees are presently part of the Elite Panel: Ranjan Madugalle of Sri Lanka, Jeff Crowe of New Zealand, and Javagal Srinath of India.