The ongoing Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE saw one of its biggest off-field drama as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) worked hard to get the match referee Andy Picroft to get the match removed from his game, only to be strongly blocked by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Controversy started after the no-handshek incident in India vsPakistan Match, which raised Pakistan’s camp. The PCB immediately demanded that Andy Pycroft be removed from stopping his matches, claiming that he had failed his duties.
ICC refused to accept the demands of Pakistan Cricket BoardAn internal review was held, and it was concluded that Pycroft had done perfectly according to the rules. He did not violate any code of conduct or standard protocol for the match referee and the spirit of sports.
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ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta: Mastermind behind PCB’s defeat in No-Handshek controversy
During hot discussions, six emails were exchanged between ICC and PCB, three from each side. However, despite all the plays, the Asia Cup continues 2025, and the Picroft remains in charge. Now, a huge report about the No-Handshek controversy came to light.
Also read: After being embarrassed on Andy Picroft, PCB now asks ICC to investigate India vs Pakistan match
As reported by Cricbuzz, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ICC was the person behind the Pakistan Cricket Board, who was not fulfilling his demand to remove Andy Picroft. Gupta took charge of the situation and ensured that the rules were strictly followed.
Sanjog Gupta personally led the discussion on the play from the ICC side. Pakistan Cricket Board President Mohsin Naqvi and COO Salman Naseer worked hard to remove Pycroft. But the ICC dismissed its demand, saying that there was no “valid reason” to remove Pycroft.
Sanjog Gupta rejected PCB’s efforts to remove Andy Picroft in Asia Cup 2025
Even on September 17, Pakistan-UAE matches were internal suggestions to temporarily replace Pycroft, as a compromise to calm the situation. But Gupta dismissed the proposal and said that allowing such changes without evidence of wrongdoing would be a dangerous example.
The CEO of the ICC felt that the match would weaken the referee’s right and encourage teams to try to influence officials in future. Gupta rejected any agreement to keep the game fair and transparent and handle the situation peacefully and strongly.
The report also claimed that the PCB considered it a small “moral victory” when the ICC agreed to investigate the incident. However, the ICC made it clear that the inquiry would not target the pikeroft and focus only on the broad incident.
Also: Haris Rauf exposes PCB’s boycott drama at Pakistan’s press conference
Travel for Sanjog Gupta’s top job
Meanwhile, Sanjog Gupta scripted history to bring a transformative vision for global cricket, becoming the first Indian CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Before joining the ICC, Gupta led Sports and Live experiences in JISTAR.
She also worked in Star India and broadcast modern sports with innovations such as multi-language feed, digital-first coverage and focus on women’s games. Cum Major Indian leagues, including IPL, ISL, and Pro Kabaddi League, were scored, while making global tournaments such as Premier League and Wimbledon worldwide, especially in India,
