Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has demanded the “immediate removal” of match referee Andy Pycroft after a controversy erupted over players from India and Pakistan not shaking hands during their Asia Cup clash in Dubai.
Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council, lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council, alleging Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, at the toss.
The PCB said the directive was a violation of both the ICC Code of Conduct and the Spirit of Cricket as codified by the Marylebone Cricket Club.
After India won the game by seven wickets, Pakistani players attempted to shake hands, but the Indian side walked straight to the dressing room. Pakistan coach Mike Hesson said the team felt snubbed and captain Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest.
The PCB’s complaint calls for Pycroft to be removed from his duties for the remainder of the tournament. India has not commented publicly on the incident, though reports in Indian media said the decision to avoid handshakes was consistent with government and board directives.
A senior Pakistani journalist tweeted Monday that Pakistan is “highly likely” to withdraw from the remaining matches of the Asia Cup if Pycroft is not removed from the tournament panel.
The ICC has not yet responded to Pakistan’s complaint. (Newswire)
