The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again faced embarrassment as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected all the allegations related to the match referee Andy Pikeroft on the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 controversy.
India’s silent stance on the “Handshek” controversy has left the PCB red. India’s adventure no-handshake stand against Pakistan was not sitting well with Pakistan. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team did not exchange handshek in the toss or after their victory over Pakistan.
Asia Cup against ICC PCB is firm in 2025 saga
It left the camp of Pakistan. Within a few hours, the PCB launched several complaints to the ICC and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), including the match referee, the demand for the dismissal of Andy Picroft, as his conduct was a violation of cricket’s code of conduct and spirit.
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PCB also threatened to go out of the Asia Cup 2025 if their demands were not met. But the ICC did not waste any time to start a complete review. After closely investigating the incident, the ICC announced that Pycroft did not do wrong at all.
The Zimbabwe match official followed the instructions issued by the tournament organizers only to ensure that the toss ran smoothly without any strange moments. In fact, ICC welcomed the pycroft to manage a stressful situation and prevent unnecessary embarrassment on live television.
PCB red-held after failed power play on Andy Pycroft
But the PCB refused to let it go, repeated their demand to remove Picroft and insisted that they would not accept him as a match referee for his Asia Cup 2025 matches. The play moved forward when the ACC threw its support behind the PCB, formally requested for the exclusion of the Pycroft.
Nevertheless, the ICC was firm from Pycroft. The governing body of the game has made it clear that no referee will be replaced and warned that it will set a dangerous example for the future. Despite the hours of discussions of six emails, hot phone calls, and back scenes, Andy Picroft stayed.
The entire episode has left the PCB red, as their opposition has backfired. In Green, men played the UAE and won the game by 41 runs, so that it could be made in the super four round of the ongoing Continental tournament. And for their embarrassment, Pycroft was the match referee in that match.
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PCB pushes for investigation, ICC demands proof
Despite this, the PCB sent another email to the ICC on 17 September, in which he sought a complete investigation during the violation of the Code of Conduct during the High-Voltage India vs. Pakistan Clash on 15 September and after the drama involving Picroft.
But the governing body changed the tables and asked the PCB to support his claims with difficult evidence. Officials clarified that unless Pakistan could give clear evidence of any wrongdoing, there will be no more action on the dispute in the Asia Cup 2025.
Despite the noise days, six emails, and fierce allegations, do not yet have to present concrete details. The ICC has kept the door open but is waiting for the evidence.
