Pycroft was at the centre of a huge controversy in the recently held Asia Cup.
Former India head coach and broadcaster Ravi Shastri gave a rousing welcome to Andy Pycroft, the senior official, who is standing as the match referee for the first India versus West Indies Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Notably, Pycroft was at the centre of a huge controversy in the recently held Asia Cup, where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accused him of failing to uphold the spirit of the game in the aftermath of the no-handshake row in the group stage match between India and Pakistan.
Announcing Pycroft as the match referee for the Ahmedabad Test, Shastri said at the toss, “Back in the house all the way from Dubai in the hot seat, Andy Pycroft.”
Shastri’s introduction left everyone, including the Zimbabwean match official, smiling.
Here’s the video:
After the no-handshake row during the Asia Cup group stage clash between India and Pakistan on September 14, the PCB had raised an official complaint with the ICC, requesting the sacking of Andy Pycroft for the remainder of the continental event. The board even threatened to boycott the tournament if its demands were not fulfilled.
However, the ICC turned down the request, stating that there is no merit to the argument as Pycroft merely informed the Pakistani camp about India’s ‘no handshake’ policy. As a result, the match between Pakistan and UAE started one hour late as PCB explored its options.