Following the highly anticipated India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match in Dubai on Sunday, September 14, a stir erupted off-field. While the Indian team registered a symbolic protest by refusing to shake hands with the Pakistani players, the Pakistani team, following their defeat, expressed displeasure with match referee Andy Pycroft.
The 2025 Asia Cup faced high drama on September 17 when Pakistan threatened to boycott their crucial match against hosts UAE in Dubai. This development came in the wake of a growing controversy surrounding the India-Pakistan match played earlier in the tournament. During that fixture, Pakistani players were reportedly snubbed by the Indian team during the customary pre- and post-match handshakes, which led to Pakistan accusing the match referee, Andy Pycroft, of misconduct.
According to GEO News reports, Pycroft allegedly told Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss that there would be no handshakes between the teams, a move the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) says goes against the traditions and rules set by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The PCB filed an official complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing the referee of violating the spirit of cricket. In their communication to ICC General Manager Wasim Khan, PCB demanded Pycroft’s immediate removal from all remaining Asia Cup matches. The ICC, however, rejected this demand, maintaining full confidence in their appointed official.
Who Is Andy Pycroft?
Andy Pycroft, a member of the ICC’s Elite Panel, has held this position since 2009 and is considered one of the most experienced referees in world cricket. Pycroft, a former Zimbabwean batsman, has played 72 first-class and 100 List A matches in his career, scoring 4374 and 2576 runs, respectively. Internationally, he has scored 152 runs in 3 Tests and 295 runs in 20 ODIs.
His experience as a referee is extremely rich. He has officiated in 103 tests, 248 ODIs, 184 men’s T20 Internationals, and 21 women’s T20 Internationals.
Pycroft has been embroiled in controversy before. He was the referee in the ball-tampering controversy involving Australian players Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft in the 2018 Cape Town Test. In last year’s Boxing Day Test, he fined Virat Kohli for a shoulder barge against Sam Constas.
He also has a long history with the Pakistan team. Pycroft was the match referee when Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez were reported for suspect bowling actions.
Andy Pycroft is once again facing criticism from Pakistan, after a match that the Indian team made special with both its performance and decisions.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan refused to play today’s game against UAE
