The ICC is yet to consider PCB's new mail of removing the Zimbabwean from their remaining matches in the ongoing continental tournament. The controversy began after Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, refused to shake hands with any of the Pakistan players after their high-voltage clash on Sunday
Pakistan cricket team (Pic: File Pic)
Pakistan may have withdrawn the threat to pull out of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, but their objection to match referee Andy Pycroft still stands firm.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent another letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) demanding to replace Pycroft with Richie Richardson for the remainder of Pakistan's Asia Cup 2025 campaign.
Pycroft is due to officiate Pakistan's must-win game against the UAE later this evening.
The ICC is yet to consider PCB's new mail of removing the Zimbabwean from their remaining matches in the ongoing continental tournament. The controversy began after Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, refused to shake hands with any of the Pakistan players after their high-voltage clash on Sunday.
Following the incident, Salman Ali Agha did not make his appearance for the post-match presentation ceremony.
PCB blamed Pycroft for the fiasco, saying that he asked Salman not to shake hands with Suryakumar and also did not allow the exchange of team-sheets between the two skippers, as is the norm.
The Indian skipper, on his part, stated that the decision to avoid handshakes with the cross-border rivals was a gesture of solidarity towards the victims of the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Armed Forces, which carried out 'Operation Sindoor' in retaliation.
Pakistan, however, labelled Indian players' actions as "unsporting", while blaming Pycroft for acting in a partisan manner. The accusations were followed by a pullout threat and a formal demand to have Pycroft removed by the ICC, which rejected the plea.
Pakistan, however, labelled Indian players' actions as "unsporting", while blaming Pycroft for acting in a partisan manner. The accusations were followed by a pullout threat and a formal demand to have Pycroft removed by the ICC, which rejected the plea.
Pakistan stand to lose close to USD 16 million if they act on the threat, and it would also be very poor optics for the country's cricket board, which is headed by the current chair of the Asian Cricket Council, Mohsin Naqvi.
However, the match was played despite the calls for a boycott following the terror attack in Kashmir.
Coming to the Asia Cup 2025, the "Men in Blue" will conclude their group stage matches by playing a game against Oman on September 19 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
(With PTI Inputs)
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