The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released a statement asserting that International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Andy Pycroft offered an apology to the national team’s captain and manager following the contentious “no-handshake” incident that occurred during the India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash on September 14.
According to the PCB’s statement, Pycroft admitted that the decision to prevent the customary handshake between the two captains was a result of “miscommunication.” The board further noted that the official had “apologized to the manager and captain of the Pakistani cricket team” for the regrettable episode.
The board, however, stood firm in its stance, revealing that it had lodged a strong objection to Pycroft’s handling of the situation and formally appealed to the ICC to replace him as the referee for Pakistan’s subsequent fixture against the United Arab Emirates. This request, however, was turned down.
The PCB statement also highlighted that the “ICC has expressed its readiness to investigate the violation of the Code of Conduct during the match on September 14,” underscoring the governing body’s willingness to review the series of events.
The controversy intensified when Pakistan’s game against the UAE in Dubai was delayed by an hour due to uncertainty over the team’s participation. Players were reportedly prevented from boarding their team bus at the hotel even after their kit bags were loaded, while the Asian Cricket Council deleted its social media posts for the match, fueling speculation of a potential boycott.
Despite Pycroft’s apology, the ICC clarified that an internal inquiry had already cleared him of any wrongdoing, stating that he had, in fact, acted to “help prevent potential embarrassment for both captains” by relaying the organizers’ decision. The ICC also emphasized that match official appointments are centrally managed and “cannot be influenced by considerations of any member board.”
Nonetheless, the PCB finds itself in an awkward position, having publicly acknowledged Pycroft’s apology while simultaneously expressing dissatisfaction over the rejection of their appeal for his replacement. This ongoing controversy places the team under a cloud just before a crucial Asia Cup encounter.