Cricket Clash: Controversy Looms Over India-Pakistan Match Referee

The ICC has reaffirmed its support for match referee Andy Pycroft for the India-Pakistan Asia Cup Super 4s game, despite PCB's repeated objections. The controversy stems from last week's match, where a 'no handshake' incident occurred. The ICC maintains that Pycroft adhered to protocol by conveying messages as instructed.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reaffirmed its decision to appoint Andy Pycroft as match referee for the high-stakes India-Pakistan Asia Cup Super 4s game, despite pressure from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to remove him. This decision comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding Pycroft's involvement in a previous match where Indian players skipped the traditional handshake with their Pakistani counterparts.

In the previous face-off, tensions flared when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav deviated from standard protocol, sparking protests from the Pakistan team. Pycroft, who was in charge on that day, was accused by the PCB of violating the 'Spirit of the Game,' a claim the ICC has dismissed, maintaining that Pycroft was merely relaying instructions from the Asian Cricket Council's Venue Manager.

The ICC's steadfast stance signals its intention to adhere to its established procedures, emphasizing that Pycroft's continued role is about maintaining consistency and not yielding to external pressures. Meanwhile, the Pakistan team has opted to skip media interactions to avoid discussions of the ongoing controversy ahead of their upcoming encounter.

(With inputs from agencies.)