The uncertainty surrounding Pakistan's participation in the remainder of the Asia Cup 2025 has reportedly been cleared.
Following the “no handshake” controversy during the India versus Pakistan fixture in Dubai on Sunday (September 14), the PCB had threatened to pull out of the continental event if match referee Andy Pycroft was not removed.
The Pakistan board had slammed Pycroft for his role in the entire episode, accusing the Zimbabwean match official of siding with India by instructing captains not to shake hands at the toss.
“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," PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council, said in a social media post on Monday.
The ICC, however, rejected Pakistan's demand to remove Pycroft as an official for the ongoing Asia Cup. With Pakistan threatening to withdraw from the tournament, a middle ground has been reached, Cricbuzz reported.
According to report, the boards of the UAE and Oman have played a critical role in the development. While Pycroft will continue to officiate matches in the Asia Cup, he has been taken off the roster for Pakistan's final group-stage against the UAE on Wednesday (September 17). Richie Richardson, the other ICC referee on the panel, is expected to officiate the match.
The report further claimed that some face-saving changes were necessitated after the PCB took the extreme position of a withdrawal. The matter only escalated when the apex body turned down the board's demand to remove Pycroft. With things taking an ugly turn, officials of the Oman and UAE boards had to intervene to resolve the situation.
Meanwhile, the PCB has issued a statement, saying that it would take a final call on the situation on Wednesday.
"Consultations are underway in this regard, and a final decision will be made by tomorrow. The decision will be taken keeping Pakistan's interest in mind," PCB spokesperson Amir Mir quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
The Salman Agha-led Pakistan side is facing a do-or-die situation after suffering a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of India. They need to win the game against the UAE to advance to the Super 4s.
