**Asia Cup 2023: Match Referee Andy Pycroft Faces Controversy Over ‘Handshake Row’ in India-Pakistan Clash**
Dubai: Andy Pycroft, the match referee for the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash during the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, has found himself embroiled in controversy following the ‘handshake row’ between the two teams. According to ESPNCricinfo, Pycroft was only informed minutes before the toss on September 14 that both teams were instructed not to shake hands ahead of the fixture between the arch-rivals.
The match referee viewed himself as a conduit for this message rather than someone imposing instructions. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal complaint against Pycroft, accusing him of violating the ICC’s Code of Conduct and the spirit of cricket. The complaint followed the incident where India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked off the field without shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts. PCB demanded that Pycroft be removed from officiating for the rest of the tournament.
### Background of the Controversy
Details have now emerged regarding events that unfolded between Pakistan’s matches against India on September 14 and the UAE on September 17. An official with direct knowledge revealed that the controversy was ignited “four minutes before the toss” during the Pakistan-India game.
As Pycroft prepared to walk onto the field, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) venue manager informed him that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with approval from the Indian central government, had instructed that no handshake was to take place between Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Agha.
PCB officials argued that Pycroft should have escalated this unusual request to the ICC. However, Pycroft reportedly said he did not have time to do so and would have informed the ICC if given more time. Moments before the toss, he briefed Salman Agha about the situation, aiming to prevent an awkward scenario if Agha went to shake hands and was snubbed.
### ICC’s Position and PCB’s Response
The ICC reviewed the matter and concluded that Pycroft did not breach any code of conduct. His actions were deemed within his remit as a match official tasked with managing the game.
However, ahead of Pakistan’s must-win match against the UAE on September 17, PCB threatened to withdraw from the tournament if Pycroft, who was also appointed for that game, was not replaced. The UAE match was delayed by an hour due to this standoff, only proceeding after a hurried meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan’s cricket leadership.
PCB claimed that Pycroft apologized to Pakistan’s manager and captain, though sources close to the situation clarified that it was more an expression of regret over miscommunication rather than a formal apology.
PCB had sent an official complaint to ICC General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan shortly after the India match, outlining the events before the toss and accusing Pycroft of misconduct. The complaint stated that an ICC-appointed “neutral” referee’s conduct violated the spirit of cricket and MCC laws, failing to maintain respect among captains and teams.
ICC responded on September 15, stating the complaint was “carefully investigated” and found “no case to answer” against Pycroft. Interviews were conducted with Pycroft, other match and tournament officials, and the tournament director, Andrew Russell.
According to ICC, Pycroft acted on “clear direction” from the ACC venue manager after receiving the message on short notice. ICC praised Pycroft for professionally handling the situation and preserving the sanctity of the toss.
### Further Developments and Stalemate
ICC emphasized that the match referee’s role does not cover enforcing team or tournament-specific protocols agreed upon outside the playing area—that responsibility lies with the tournament organizers who made the no-handshake decision.
ICC also noted that changing match officials at the request or insistence of any team would set a “dangerous and unfortunate precedent.”
Despite this, PCB expressed deep disappointment at the ICC’s findings, pointing to “glaring discrepancies”. They criticized the ICC for allegedly failing to obtain complete evidence and not interviewing Salman Agha or Pakistan’s team management, labeling the review a “one-sided process”.
PCB questioned how Pycroft could act merely as a messenger conveying directives that violated the spirit of cricket, insisting he should have “unequivocally refused” to relay the no-handshake instruction.
In response, ICC stated that Pakistan had ample opportunity to provide supporting documentation or evidence against Pycroft but failed to do so.
Amid continued tensions, PCB contemplated withdrawing from the Asia Cup, citing government advice to pull out if Pycroft was not removed. PCB chairman and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, was reportedly involved in the discussions.
On September 19, Pakistan trained but cancelled their pre-match press conference. A series of video calls between ICC, PCB, and Emirates Cricket Board officials took place. Both parties remained firm on their positions, with PCB demanding Pycroft’s removal and ICC standing by their decision.
### Resolution Before UAE Match
With the UAE match approaching, discussions between ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta and Wasim Khan led to a suggestion of a meeting between Pycroft and the Pakistan team. After consulting with PCB officials and former board heads Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja, Mohsin Naqvi agreed to the meeting.
Pakistan players departed for Dubai International Stadium later than planned and arrived about 30 minutes before the rescheduled toss at 7 PM local time.
In a closed-door meeting including Pycroft, Salman Agha, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson, team manager Naved Akram Cheema, and Wasim Khan, Pycroft sought to understand Pakistan’s concerns and explained his limited role as a messenger rather than the decision-maker behind the no-handshake directive.
He expressed regret for the “miscommunication and misunderstanding” over the incident, particularly regarding how Captain Agha was put in such an awkward position before a marquee fixture.
Shortly after, PCB released a statement claiming that the match referee had apologized. However, ICC is reportedly unhappy with this characterization and considered issuing a clarifying statement, though no decision has been finalized.
PCB also shared a video of the meeting (without audio), despite concerns raised during the discussion about recording.
### Future Outlook
PCB stated that ICC expressed willingness to conduct an inquiry into the alleged code of conduct violation during the September 14 match. However, the likelihood of such an inquiry is slim, considering ICC’s repeated communication that Pycroft was not at fault.
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*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from agency feeds.*
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