PCB had demanded Pycroft's removal after the handshake row in the India versus Pakistan Asia Cup match.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday (September 16) officially rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) request for a change of match referee in the ongoing Asia Cup.
After the handshake row during their group-stage match against arch-rivals India, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi put forward a demand to replace Andy Pycroft from the panel of match referees for the continental event.
“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," Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, said in a social media post on Monday.
A day later, the apex body formally rejected the plea. The appointment of match officials is done by the ICC, in association with the local body, in this case the ACC.
The high-stake clash in Dubai on Sunday (September 14) started with captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha making no handshake at the toss. However, this wasn't considered a big deal as the Indian skipper had also not shaken hands with the UAE captain Muhammad Waseem in their campaign opener.
However, drama unfolded after Suryakumar hit the winning six. He and Shivam Dube charged into the dressing room without shaking hands with the Pakistan players.
At first, it seemed that even the Men in Green were not interested in offering the handshake. But things took a turn when the entire Pakistan lineup, led by captain Agha and coach Mike Hesson, approached the Indian dressing room, waiting for the customary handshakes. Soon, the Indian camp shut the door, firmly closing any chance of exchanging post-match pleasantries.
The handshake gate seems to have hurt the Pakistan cricket team’s ego, prompting PCB to lodge a complaint with the ICC.
According to reports, the Pakistan board has even threatened to pull out of the continental event if its demand for Pycroft’s sacking is not fulfilled.