Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan ‘Shocked’ Andy Pycroft ‘Rocked’

PAK vs UAE: Tensions flared during Asia Cup 2025 after the India vs Pakistan match on September 14, sparking a formal protest by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over alleged unfair conduct by match referee Andy Pycroft. The core of the dispute: India’s players refused the customary handshakes at the toss and after the match, and Pakistan claims Pycroft had instructed its captain Salman Ali Agha beforehand not to shake hands – something PCB says violates the spirit of cricket and MCC/ICC protocols.

In response, PCB lodged an official complaint with the ICC and demanded Pycroft’s removal from Asia Cup duties. When the ICC rejected the request, Pakistan escalated the situation by threatening to boycott their upcoming Group B match against UAE unless the match referee was replaced.

Meanwhile, UAE, being the opponents, were preparing for the match, but Pakistan reportedly stayed in hotel, delaying travel to the stadium, with their luggage still on the bus. As of latest reports, the match, scheduled for September 17, appears to be in jeopardy due to Pakistan’s stance.

The broader impact is significant: Pakistan’s qualification chances depend on this match, and withdrawal would mean elimination. The controversy raises questions about what match referees are allowed to do, what rules govern “respectful conduct,” and how much authority teams have to demand replacements of match officials.

Can a Match Referee Be Removed Mid‑Tournament or Mid‑Match?

Based on available ICC rules and precedents:

• The match referee is appointed by the ICC before the tournament, and their role is to enforce regulations, ensure fair conduct, and uphold the spirit of cricket.
• There is no provision in ICC playing conditions that explicitly allows teams to force the removal of a referee mid‑match simply because of perceived misconduct. Requests for removal or replacement are typically handled off‑the‑field, via formal complaints, reviews, or disciplinary procedures after matches.
• In this case, despite PCB’s formal request, the ICC rejected the demand to remove Andy Pycroft, confirming that the current rules do not support such mid‑tournament removals based solely on disputes like this one.

So, while a match referee can be replaced or suspended if there is compelling evidence of misconduct, it usually happens through post‑match processes – not by immediate removal during or just before a match.

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