In a recent development, Pakistan has got a boost before them Asia Cup 2025 Group match against United Arab Emirates. Andy Pycroft has been removed from stopping his remaining fixtures, and West Indies cricketer Richie Richardson will be the match referee for the rest of his campaign.
The Pakistan Cricket Board expressed dissatisfaction with the role of Andy Picroft as a match referee in the High-Profile India-Pakistan Clash. He filed a formal complaint demanding the removal of the ICC from the tournament. However, the ICC confirmed that the Pycroft Asia Cup would continue to work in 2025.
Andy Pycroft removed from all Pakistan matches in Asia Cup 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board accused Andy Pycroft of going against the ICC rules. In particular, the board demanded that Pycroft be removed from all the remaining matches in Pakistan.
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Even there were reports Pakistan Can consider pulling out of the competition. After a day’s speculation and private meetings, it was agreed that Pycroft would not reveal Pakistan’s next group-observable stability against the UAE on 17 September.
A PCB source confirmed the development to PTI, “Pakistan will play the tournament, but will not reduce the match against Andy Picroft UAE.”
According to the Indian news agencies (PTI and ANI), a “middle-road” solution had reached, which allowed Pakistan to continue in the tournament.
ICC brought Richie Richardson as a match referee. PCB President Mohsin Naqvi, who plays a political role as an internal minister of Pakistan, managed to pursue the dispute without further damaging the tournament.
Pycroft, one of the most experienced match referee in international cricket
Andy Pycroft is now one of the most experienced match referee in international cricket. He has been on the Elite Panel of ICC since 2009 and has worked in over 100 men’s tests, 248 Odis, 184 T20I and 21 women T20I.
Before going to work, former Zimbabwe Batter played 72 first -class matches and 100 List A Games, scoring 4,374 and 2,576 runs respectively. Pycroft represented Zimbabwe in three tests and 20 Odis.
He made his debut during the 1983 World Cup, and was part of Kapil Dev’s prestigious 175. In particular, he played against India in Zimbabwe’s first Test and scored 39 and 46 runs in two innings. Pycroft scored 152 runs in trials at an average of 30.40 and 295 runs on an average of 17.35.
Andy Pycroft is involved in many big controversies as a match referee
Pycroft has been involved in several major controversies as a match referee. He was a match referee during the Cape Town Test between Australia and South Africa in 2018, when Steve Smith, when David warnerAnd Cameron Bancroft was caught in the ball-rage scam.
He was also in charge during the boxing day test between Australia and India in 2023. Former Indian captain Virat Kohli was fined young Australia opener Sam Constas for a shoulder buzzer.
Pycroft was also a match referee when Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafiz were informed by umpires for suspected bowling action in international cricket.
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