Handshake Row: PCB Threatens Withdrawal, ICC Backs Match Referee Pycroft

Dubai (The Uttam Hindu): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup officials’ panel.

The PCB had lodged a complaint alleging that Pycroft, during the toss of the Asia Cup match on Sunday, instructed Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav. Pakistan termed this as an act against the spirit of the game and even threatened to withdraw from the upcoming match against the UAE scheduled for Wednesday, September 17.

Despite PCB’s protest, the ICC has stood by its official, dismissing the request for Pycroft’s removal.

Meanwhile, the practice of not shaking hands with Pakistani players is expected to continue throughout the tournament. This arrangement reportedly has the mutual consent of players, the BCCI, and the Indian government.

Although the BCCI has not issued an official statement yet, sources suggest that if India qualifies for the Asia Cup final on September 28 and wins, the Indian team will refuse to accept the trophy from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.