The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly dismissed Indian media reports claiming that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down its demand for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

The controversy erupted after the much-anticipated Pakistan–India clash in Dubai, where players from both sides refrained from the customary handshake before and after the game. According to the PCB, the directive to skip handshakes came from Pycroft himself, a move that the board believes compromised the spirit of cricket and violated the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) code of conduct.

In its formal complaint to both the ICC and the MCC, the PCB stressed that the decision was unacceptable, arguing that “no handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions.” The letter accused Pycroft of failing to uphold his responsibilities as a match referee in one of cricket’s most high-profile encounters.

While reports on Cricbuzz suggested that the ICC had already rejected Pakistan’s request and stood in support of Pycroft, PCB insiders clarified that no such decision has been communicated to them officially. “We have not yet received any formal reply from the ICC. We stand firm on our demand,” a PCB source stated, underlining that the board is prepared to explore alternative measures if the issue remains unresolved.

The episode has drawn widespread attention, given the sensitive nature of Indo-Pak cricket relations and the symbolic weight carried by gestures such as the handshake. For Pakistan, the matter extends beyond cricketing formalities. As reiterated by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the board views the situation as a matter of national dignity, with sources emphasizing that “nothing is above the country’s honour.”

With the Asia Cup in full swing and the cricketing world watching closely, the PCB’s firm stance ensures that this saga is far from over. All eyes are now on the ICC’s official response, which could set an important precedent in how matters of sportsmanship and protocol are handled in future tournaments.