A new twist has emerged in the handshake controversy between India and Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has indicated the possibility of giving Zimbabwe's match referee, Andy Pycroft, a "rest" for the upcoming match.
Sports News: India and Pakistan faced each other in the sixth match of the Asia Cup 2025. An incident of controversy occurred during this match when Indian players did not shake hands with Pakistani players. There was also no handshake between the captains of both teams during the toss before the match began.
Following this incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) approached the ICC demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup, but the ICC rejected this demand.
IND vs PAK - Handshake Controversy
India and Pakistan faced each other in the sixth match of the Asia Cup 2025. There was no handshake between the captains of both teams during the toss before the match began. Subsequently, during the match, Indian players also did not shake hands with Pakistani players. Immediately after this incident, the PCB filed a complaint with the ICC and demanded that match referee Andy Pycroft be removed from the tournament.
The PCB's argument was that Pycroft had overlooked the violation of MCC laws. However, the ICC rejected the PCB's demand and decided to retain Pycroft in the tournament.
Pycroft Will Not Be Present in UAE-Pakistan Match
Pycroft was also the referee for Pakistan's next match, which is scheduled to be played against the UAE today. However, according to a Times of India report, he may be given a "rest" for this match. A source from the PCB stated that Pakistan will continue in the tournament, but Pycroft will not be the referee for the match against the UAE.
It is currently unclear whether Pycroft will return as a referee for Pakistan's subsequent matches. PCB and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had stated through social media posts that the PCB had lodged a complaint against the match referee with the ICC, but he later deleted these posts.
