Asia Cup Controversy – PCB Demands Removal of Match Referee Andy Pycroft
Asia Cup Controversy – The Pakistan Cricket Board has heightened tensions at the Asia Cup, demanding that ICC match official Andy Pycroft be removed from the panel. The PCB made this dramatic decision just a day after it lodged an official protest against India after they refused to shake hands after India won the Asia Cup match at the Dubai International Stadium by seven wickets.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi took to social media in order to make the PCB’s request for Pycroft to be removed. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi’s main grievance is that the 69-year-old Zimbabwean match official violated ICC Code of Conduct protocol and MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket in the Asia Cup fixture.
The PCB filed a complaint at the ICC about the violations of the ICC Code of Conduct by the match referee and MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. Naqvi said in a social media posting on Monday that the PCB had demanded the immediate removal of Match Referees from the Asia Cup.
PCB claims that Pycroft was partisan when he allegedly instructed team captains not to shake hands prior to the India-Pakistan match. PCB sources claim that the referee intervened in an inappropriate manner and against cricket protocol for the Asia Cup games. According to the board, such instructions undermine the neutrality that is expected of ICC officials at prestigious tournaments as the Asia Cup.
According to sources close to the PCB, the board threatened to boycott Pakistan’s next Asia Cup match against the UAE, scheduled for September 17, if its demand that Pycroft be removed isn’t met. Pycroft will be the referee for the Pakistan-UAE Asia Cup match, which adds another level of complexity to this ongoing dispute.
Naqvi expressed his disappointment at the behavior displayed by the Indian and Pakistani players during the Asia Cup game. It was “utterly disappointing” to see the lack of sportsmanship displayed today. The spirit of sport is not harmed by bringing politics into a game. “Let’s hope that future victories will be celebrated with grace by all teams,” wrote the PCB Chief on Monday night.
Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistan after their Asia Cup win. Naveed Cheema, the Pakistani team manager, filed a formal complaint with Pycroft, citing the conduct as being “unsporting” and “against the spirit of the game.” The Pakistan captain was removed from the ceremony to present the trophy after the match as a protest.
Pycroft is one of the most experienced match referees in the world of international cricket. He has served on the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees for the past three years. Four other referees are also on the Elite Panel: Javagal Srinath from India, Jeff Crowe from New Zealand, Ranjan Magugalle from Sri Lanka, and West Indian Richie Richardson, who has been nominated to serve in Asia Cup duty.
The ICC is yet to reply to PCB demands about Pycroft being removed from the Asia Cup Panel. The unprecedented nature of this situation could overshadow all remaining Asia Cup matches and even affect the schedule, if Pakistan decides to follow through with its boycott threats.
Pakistan Cricket Board
The Pakistan Cricket Board oversees the domestic game of cricket as well as the participation of the Pakistan national team in tournaments around the world, including the Asia Cup. PCB and ICC work closely together to maintain the highest possible standards in cricket administration, player behavior, and team management.
