ICC rejects PCB protest, backs referee Pycroft

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from officiating duties at the ongoing Asia Cup, despite the PCB reportedly threatening to pull out of their upcoming match against Oman over the "no-handshake" controversy that followed their seven-wicket humiliation at the hands of India.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

The development has now shifted focus to Pakistan’s upcoming fixture against the UAE on Wednesday, with the Zimbabwean officially appointed as the match referee. The PCB had on Monday threatened to pull out of the contest if Pycroft continued in that role.

On Monday, the PCB lodged a complaint with the ICC, alleging that the 69-year-old had instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav during the coin toss of their Asia Cup clash on Sunday.

“It is alarming to note that an ICC-appointed and supposedly neutral match referee opted to indulge in conduct that clearly violates the Spirit of Cricket and MCC Laws,” the PCB letter said.