Pycroft Says Pakistan Players “Disrepute”- Handshake Row Escalates
Match referee Andy Pycroft claimed that some Pakistan players have “brought disrepute” to cricket. He referenced past incidents involving players like Umar Gul and current ones — naming Faheem and Abrar — in a social media post that circulated widely.
Context: Handshake Controversy
The issue arose after India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and others did not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, both at the toss and after the match. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed an official complaint, accusing Pycroft of encouraging this no-handshake protocol and violating the Spirit of Cricket.
PCB’s Response
PCB issued a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) invoking Article 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Match Officials. The board alleged misconduct by Pycroft of the “highest order,” saying his behaviour damaged sportsmanship and created a negative atmosphere during the match.
Veracity of the Post Disputed
A fact check revealed that the social media post cited by Odisha Bytes and others originated from an X account with questionable authenticity. The account had been deleted or renamed at times, raising doubts about whether Pycroft himself made the statements. The ICC is yet to verify or confirm the content of the alleged post.
ICC’s Stance
The ICC has officially rejected PCB’s demand to remove Pycroft from his match referee role in the ongoing Asia Cup. The governing body said there is “insufficient merit” in the complaints to warrant replacing him.
