The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has intensified its push in the ongoing “no handshake” controversy with India, sending another formal letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) demanding the replacement of match referee Andy Pycroft. According to a PTI report, the PCB requested that Richie Richardson be appointed instead, but the world body has not agreed to their demand so far.
Pycroft remains scheduled to officiate Pakistan’s must-win clash against the hosts, the UAE, later this evening. The issue first erupted after the Asia Cup group-stage game on September 14, when Indian players, led by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, declined to shake hands with their arch-rivals. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha even skipped the post-match presentation ceremony in protest, deepening the drama.
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The PCB directly blamed Pycroft for the episode, alleging he instructed Pakistan not to shake hands with Suryakumar and failed to permit the customary exchange of team sheets before the toss. India, however, stood firm on its reasoning. Suryakumar clarified that avoiding handshakes was a gesture of solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and support for the Indian Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor.
• Asia Cricket Council posted Pakistan vs UAE poster for today’s match and then deleted the post.
• PCB writes another strong letter to the ICC. They want justice.
• UAE and Oman’s cricket boards trying to convince PCB. PCB stands firm.#AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/igvqTEbtEF
— w1xhx.b (@WahaabShahzad) September 17, 2025
While India’s stance was widely viewed as symbolic, Pakistan accused the act of being “unsporting” and further charged Pycroft with bias. Their frustration soon escalated into a threat to withdraw from the Asia Cup, accompanied by a formal request to the ICC to remove Pycroft from the officiating panel. The ICC, however, dismissed the appeal.
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Should Pakistan follow through with its pullout, it risks a massive financial setback estimated at nearly USD 16 million. Such a decision would also cast a shadow over the PCB’s credibility, with ACC chair Mohsin Naqvi reportedly already consulting the Pakistan government about the team’s possible next steps.
