The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft following a controversy stemming from the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan. The PCB's complaint arose after the Indian team refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts after their victory. The PCB alleged that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav at the toss.

According to reports, the ICC has communicated its decision to the PCB, stating that Pycroft will continue in his role as match referee for the remainder of the Asia Cup. The ICC's decision underscores its stance that there is no valid basis for the PCB's request. Furthermore, the ICC has reportedly refuted Pakistan's claims that Pycroft was acting on behalf of the Indian team.

The controversy began when the Indian team chose not to shake hands with the Pakistani team, a gesture that is customary in international cricket. The Indian team dedicated their win to the armed forces after a terror attack. Following this, the PCB lodged a formal complaint with the ICC, alleging that Pycroft had instructed the captains to forgo the handshake. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the complaint was regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket.

Sources within the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) suggest that Pycroft may have simply forgotten to inform the Pakistan team that the no-handshake protocol would continue throughout the match. This led to confusion when the Indian players went straight to the dressing room after the match, leaving the Pakistani players "baffled".

Adding to the turmoil, the PCB reportedly sacked Usman Wahla, the Director of International Cricket Operations, for failing to inform the Pakistan captain about the no-handshake policy. Some reports even suggested that Pakistan threatened to pull out of their match against the UAE if Pycroft was not removed, but later backed off from this threat.

Andy Pycroft is a former Zimbabwe cricketer who played three Tests and 20 ODIs. He later transitioned into cricket administration, serving as a coach and selector before becoming an ICC match referee. He is one of the senior-most match referees in the ICC Elite Panel, with 695 international games to his credit.

Despite the PCB's complaints and demands, Pycroft is scheduled to officiate Pakistan's final group stage match against the UAE. The ICC's decision highlights the complexities of international cricket relations and the importance of upholding established protocols and standards of conduct.