ICC Rejects PCB's Request to Remove Match Referee Amid Handshake Controversy

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially rejected PCB's demand to replace match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup. The possible rejection, which Cricbuzz had reported about, is believed to have been conveyed to the PCB last night.

The communication, purported to have been sent either by the ICC operations or legal department is believed to have made it clear that the Match Referee had no role in the handshake controversy during India-Pakistan match in Dubai on Sunday.

The PCB was said to be miffed with Pycroft reportedly asking the Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha to avoid shaking hands with the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav at the toss. However, the ICC has reasoned it out saying the ACC officials on the ground are understood to have conveyed this to Pycroft who, in turn, relayed it to Salman Agha.

The ICC letter is believed to have cleared the air and refuted Pakistan's contention that the match referee was acting on behalf of the Indian team.

The development leads to an obvious question on the Pakistan-UAE game on Wednesday. Pycroft is the designated referee for the game and the PCB had said the team would not play the game if the official from Zimbabwe is not replaced.

When contacted, the PCB has denied receiving any communication from the ICC.

More to follow...