In a controversy in the making during the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had asked for the removal of experienced match referee Andy Pycroft on charges of breach of the Spirit of Cricket after a high-stakes match between India and Pakistan. But indications from the International Cricket Council (ICC) are strong enough to imply that the plea is going to be rejected.
Background: PCB’s Objection to Andy Pycroft’s Role
The PCB filed an official complaint following Indian players’ refusal to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the Asia Cup game on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi accused match referee Andy Pycroft of not enforcing the ICC Code of Conduct and breaching the Spirit of Cricket and sought his immediate removal from the tournament.
ICC Not Likely to Obey PCB’s Request
According to sources from the ICC, there is no adequate reason for Andy Pycroft’s removal from officiating responsibilities. The ICC is likely to make a precedent by subjecting match official appointments to the whims of an individual board, much less when Pycroft himself had little to do with the scandal.
As per sources, Pycroft simply passed on a message to the Pakistan captain in order not to have an on-field altercation at the toss, something interpreted as professional behavior and not interference.
Handshake Incident: Not a Violation of Cricket Laws
PCB’s grievance really stems from the belief that the Indian team’s refusal to shake hands violated the spirit of the game. While handshakes are customary in these situations, they are not mandated under the MCC laws nor the ICC playing conditions.
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The MCC Spirit of Cricket guidelines encourage niceties, but there are no corresponding ICC playing conditions that specifically govern the handshake process before or after a match.
Even calling upon the MCC’s Spirit of Cricket, the PCB has not issued any formal complaint to the MCC, showing a possible discrepancy in the severity of their accusation.
Asia Cup Uncertainty Grows as Tensions Rise
Reports also state that Pakistan have warned that they will refuse to play in their Asia Cup game against the UAE on September 17 if Andy Pycroft is not removed from the match referee role. This leaves the ICC in a difficult situation, as Pycroft is the match referee for that match.
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However, the ICC remains the only governing body with the jurisdiction to appoint match referees, in tandem with the local tournament governing body: the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) here. Naqvi, interestingly, is the President of the ACC, which makes things much more complicated.
ICC Stands by Referee Integrity in Face of Political Pressure
The ICC remains firm in its stance to protect the neutrality and independence of its appointed match officials. The officials also believe that it would set an inappropriate precedent to cater to a request made by the PCB when there is no evidence of impropriety on the part of referee Andy Pycroft.
The ICC should promptly reply to the PCB formal letter shortly and presumably indicate that there is no code or law requiring a handshake prior to or following the match and confirm the neutrality of the match referees.
MCC’s Spirit of Cricket: A Guide, Not a Law
Although MCC’s Spirit of Cricket emphasizes values like respect, fairness, and good conduct, it is not legally enforceable.
Some of its principles include:
-Respect for opponents, teammates, and officials
-Compete hard but fair – demonstrated self-control
-Thank the officials and opposition after the game
-Encourage friendships and teamwork between cultures
-Importantly, handshakes are not mandatory but stating the intention to handshake gives weight to the PCB’s position that a formal breach has occurred.
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