LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written another letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), reaffirming its reservations regarding the appointment of match referee Andy Pycroft for Asia Cup 2025, ARY News learned, citing well-placed sources.
The PCB turned down the ICC’s refusal to act against the referee and officially communicated its unwillingness to play any Asia Cup 2025 match under his supervision, according to insiders.
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The board reiterated its position of boycotting games under Pycroft’s management if its issues are not resolved.
The PCB brushed aside the ICC’s request for inquiry into the issue as a formality, claiming that neither everything was reviewed nor concerned people consulted in the process.
In its second letter, the PCB asked the ICC to withdraw all reservations through a public and official statement.
The PCB also added that only when its demands are fulfilled will Pakistan agree to play matches under the referee in question.
Read more: PCB yet to finalize decision on Asia Cup 2025, says spokes person
It should be mentioned that the controversy started when Pakistan were playing their Asia Cup 2025 group match against India, as Indian team members failed to shake hands with Pakistan players and captain both before the toss and after the match.
What further amazed Pakistan was Pycroft instructing allegedly skipper Salman Ali Agha not to give a handshake to his Indian counterpart. This later led to charges of a conspiracy between the Indian team and Pycroft.
Pakistan reacted in turn by demanding the sacking of Pycroft and threatening not to take part in any more matches of the tournament unless the referee was replaced.
