Andy Pycroft, the ICC match referee caught in the spotlight during the heated group-stage clash between India and Pakistan, will once again oversee the Super 4 encounter between the two arch-rivals at the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai on Sunday, September 21. The development, confirmed by sources to India Today, adds another layer of intrigue to one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures.
The controversy dates back to the group-stage meeting, where India chose to skip the customary pre- and post-match handshakes. The gesture was widely interpreted as a show of solidarity with victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, and as support for the armed forces engaged in Operation Sindoor.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed displeasure, accusing Pycroft of failing to uphold the “Spirit of Cricket” and claiming he did not enforce the ICC Code of Conduct during the incident. In response, the PCB formally requested Pycroft’s removal for the remainder of the Asia Cup.
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However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the appeal, standing firmly behind the veteran Zimbabwean official. The decision effectively gave Pycroft the green light to continue in his role, including overseeing high-profile matches such as the India-Pakistan Super 4 clash.
🚨 REPORTS 🚨
Andy Pycroft is set to be the match referee for the India vs Pakistan Super 4 match tomorrow. 🏆⚔️#Cricket #India #Pakistan #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/gglaf0kxAB
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) September 20, 2025
Later, PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi revealed that Pycroft had issued an apology, describing the controversy as the result of a “miscommunication.” This gesture was instrumental in defusing tensions, with Pakistan eventually reversing their stance and fulfilling their group-stage commitments, including the match against the UAE.
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With Pycroft once again in charge, Sunday’s fixture in Dubai carries more than just competitive stakes. India enters as favourites, buoyed by an unbeaten group-stage run, while Pakistan faces mounting pressure to prove they can overcome the psychological hurdles that have often tripped them up in crunch moments. Beyond the runs and wickets, the clash promises another chapter in cricket’s fiercest rivalry—one that may yet add to the ongoing drama off the field.
