Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Mohsin Naqvi said that the ICC match referee Andy Pycroft had apologized on the handshake controversy during the Asia Cup struggle against India. Naqvi said that the country’s “honor has been protected,” saying that now the focus is on the team’s performance on the focused ground.
On Wednesday, before the match against the UAE, the Pakistan Cricket Board released a muted video that featured a PCB officer in a discussion with captain Salman Ali Aga, head coach Mike Hessen and match referee Andy Pikeroft. The PCB said that Pycroft apologized to the members of the team.
Pakistan threatened to withdraw from Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan had threatened to withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 if the ICC did not remove Andy Picroft as a match referee. He demanded this after the No-Handshek controversy, which was angry during Pakistan’s match against India. However, PCB played the match against UAE.
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In particular, the match between Pakistan and UAE was delayed by an hour. Mohsin Naqvi also organized a final-matt consultation with former board chief Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi on the possibility of boycotting the game. This step could have ended Pakistan’s campaign in the tournament.
The ICC did not remove Picroft as a match referee. He maintained his role and stopped the competition between Pakistan and UAE despite the board’s concerns.
Pakistan’s honor has been preserved – PCB President Mohsin Naqvi
In a press briefing at the Gaddafi Stadium, Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that Andy Pycroft had apologized on the handshake controversy. Mohsin Naqvi said that the PCB has also requested the ICC to investigate the events against India.
“Some time ago, the match referee apologized to the captain and the team manager. We formally request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to examine the violations in the September 14 match,” Naqvi said.
Mohsin Naqvi said, “I consulted the situation with former president Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja. Thank God, Pakistan’s honor has been preserved, and now we hope that the team will perform their best.”
ICC has now agreed to see this incident – PCB officials
PCB officials confirmed that the ICC is now ready to conduct a formal inquiry into the handshake dispute. The board said the match referee Andy Pikeroft had apologized to Pakistan captain and team manager.
The board said, “ICC match referee, Andy Pycroft has apologized to the manager and captain of the Pakistan team. He first stopped the handshek, which caused a dispute. The ICC has now agreed to see the incident,” the board said.
Pakistan won 41 runs over UAE in Dubai on Wednesday. After being sent to the bat, Pakistan posted a total of 146 for 9, in which Fakhar Zaman scored 50 runs in 36 balls and Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 29 off 14 balls.
In response, the UAE fought against Pakistan’s bowling attack. Spinner Abrar Ahmed was a bowlers pick for Pakistan with a 2 figure for 13, while Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf took 2 wickets in each. The hosts were limited to 105 in 17.4 overs.
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