Pakistan-India handshake row : Referee Pycroft apologises to Pakistan: PCB

LAHORE/DUBAI: International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Andy Pycroft has apologised to Pakistan team captain Salman Ali Agha and team manager over the handshake controversy ahead of the India clash in the Asia Cup 2025.

In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Pycroft had expressed regret to both the captain and the manager of the Pakistan cricket squad.

“Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised,” it said, adding that the ICC expressed its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation.

Addressing a press conference after the referee’s apology, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi urged the nation to support the team. He added that the board had requested the ICC to conduct an inquiry into the violations that occurred during the Pakistan-India match. Naqvi said he had also consulted former PCB chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja over the matter. “I thank Allah that the honour of Pakistan has been upheld,” he remarked, expressing hope that the national side would now perform and deliver on the field.

Former chairman Sethi reiterated that the PCB’s consistent stance has been that politics should not be brought into sport. His successor, Raja, termed the development a victory for Pakistan, urging that the team now prove itself through performance.

“Cricket should remain cricket and not be turned into a political platform,” Raja said, adding that the focus must now return to the game itself. He stressed that any hurt sentiments must be left behind and all attention should be directed towards performance on the field.

Raja also criticised Pycroft, alleging that he had been a “fixed referee” for the Indian team, pointing out that Pycroft had officiated in more than 90 of India’s matches.

On the other hand, Pakistan set up another politically charged showdown with arch-rivals India at the Asia Cup after defeating the United Arab Emirates by 41 runs in Dubai on Wednesday. The match began an hour late as the fallout rumbled on from a handshake row with India.

Fakhar Zaman scored 50 off 36 balls and Shaheen Shah Afridi added a brisk 29 not out as Pakistan made a modest 146-9 batting first.

Spinner Abrar Ahmed led Pakistan´s bowling charge with 2-13 as the UAE were dismissed for 105 in 17.4 overs. Shaheen took 2-16 and fellow paceman Haris Rauf 2-19.

The win means Pakistan join India in the Super Four from Group A. They will meet again in Dubai on Sunday.

Rahul Chopra top-scored for the hosts with run-a-ball 35.

Pakistan got off to a shaky start as Saim Ayub fell for a second-ball duck while Sahibzada Farhan made five, both falling to pace bowler Junaid Siddique.

Siddique finished with an impressive 4-18 in his four overs.

Zaman and Salman Agha added 61 for the third wicket. Agha made 20.

Zaman hit three sixes and two fours before he fell to left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh, who took 3-26.

It was left to Shaheen to help Pakistan add 51 in the last five overs.

Sri Lanka meet Afghanistan in Abdu Dhabi to decide who goes through to the next round from Group B. Bangladesh are also in the running with two wins in three matches.

Earlier, the Pakistani cricket team reached Dubai International Cricket Stadium on the instructions of PCB Chairman Naqvi. The squad, initially told to remain at their hotel, eventually departed after clearance from the board.

PCB adviser Amir Mir later confirmed that the fixture had been delayed by an hour amid a row involving match referee Andy Pycroft. The board announced that the match would begin at 8:30pm (PST), with the toss scheduled for 8pm.

The controversy stems from the Pakistan-India clash on Sept 14, when both captains skipped the customary handshake at the toss — an omission reportedly directed by Pycroft — prompting tensions between the PCB and the match referee.

Earlier, the sources said that the PCB penned another letter to the ICC over the latter’s refusal to accept its demand for Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup 2025.

Taking a firm stand on the issue, the PCB rejected the ICC’s decision not to take action against the match referee.

The board, as per the sources, refused to play matches supervised by Pycroft and is standing on its decision to boycott the matches if its demands are not met.

Furthermore, the PCB termed the ICC’s inquiry against the match referee a mere formality, stressing that neither all aspects were examined for inquiry nor were relevant people contacted.

In its letter, the PCB said that Pakistan will agree to play after all its reservations are addressed, and a formal announcement of acceptance of the demand is made. Highlighting ICC’s increasing woes, the sources said that the cricketing authority has no choice but to remove the umpire from Pakistani matches after Pakistan’s tough stance.

Sources also said that the PCB has not received any response from the ICC on its demand so far.