Pakistan nearly pulled out of the Asia Cup over a perceived insult. The team threatened to withdraw from their match against UAE, claiming that India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, refused to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart, Salman Ali Agha, during a previous game. This alleged slight, meant as a gesture of solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, ignited a significant controversy.
What followed was a dramatic day in Dubai. The Pakistan team initially stayed put in their hotel, delaying the start of their match against UAE, awaiting further instructions from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) office in Lahore. They eventually took the field only after reportedly receiving an “apology” from match referee Andy Pycroft.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board, Zimbabwe’s Pycroft tendered an “apology for miscommunication” regarding the India-Pakistan match where the alleged handshake refusal took place.
In the aftermath of the incident, the PCB lodged two separate complaints with the International Cricket Council (ICC), demanding Pycroft’s removal from his role. However, the global cricketing body firmly rejected both demands. Despite Pakistan’s threats to withdraw and the ensuing chaos, they eventually reversed their stance after negotiations with the ICC and a subsequent meeting with Pycroft.
The Truth Revealed: Did Andy Pycroft Really Apologize?
In a social media post, the PCB announced: “ICC’s controversial match referee Andy Pycroft has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistani cricket team. Andy Pycroft had prohibited the captains of both teams from shaking hands during the India-Pakistan match. The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly reacted to Andy Pycroft’s action. Andy Pycroft termed the incident on September 14 as a result of miscommunication and apologised. The ICC has expressed its readiness to investigate the violation of the Code of Conduct during the match on September 14.”
FACT CHECK: No, Andy Pycroft did not “apologise” to Pakistan, contrary to the PCB’s claims. When Pycroft, Salman Ali Agha, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, and coach Mike Hesson met in the match referee’s room at the Dubai International Stadium, it was at the Zimbabwean official’s insistence, with the sole objective of clarifying any potential miscommunication.
A well-placed source revealed: “There was no question of any apology. Especially from someone who did no wrong.” Furthermore, it is noteworthy that a video of this meeting, shared by the PCB, conspicuously had its audio muted.
The ICC has consistently maintained that Pycroft fully adhered to the code of conduct. They firmly informed the PCB that match officials cannot be replaced based on a team’s demands, as doing so would establish a problematic precedent. With no alternative solution meeting their initial demands, Pakistan ultimately conceded and played their match against UAE with Pycroft continuing as the match referee.