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Pakistan Faces Embarrassment as Andy Pycroft Stays On as Asia Cup Match Referee Despite Withdrawal Threats
There was confusion over the fixture in Dubai mere hours before the game was due to begin as Pakistan's players remained in their hotel, despite their bags having already been put on the team bus. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) also added to speculation when it removed the match posts, leaving one questioning if Pakistan would field at all.
ICC Rankings: Varun Chakaravarthy rises to No. 1 spot among T20I bowlers
The 34-year-old made his comeback on the strength of a string of superb performances in the Asia Cup 2025. In India's first match against the UAE, Chakaravarthy bowled a tight two-over spell, taking figures of 1 for 4, as senior spinner Kuldeep Yadav tore the opposition apart.
Top Officials Dismissed as Asia Cup Handshake Controversy Winds Down
Though this development brings the controversy within reach of being resolved, it was only achieved after the PCB identified Director of Cricket Operations Usman Walha as one of the prime movers of the debacle.
Pakistan Scores Minor Victory in Handshake Controversy, ICC Likely to Reverse Decision: Report
The row broke out when Pakistan was defeated by India on Sunday. During the game, Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts as a sign of respect for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. In response, PCB asked for the expulsion of Pycroft from the tournament, citing breaches of ICC rules and regulations—a request that the ICC turned down.
Pakistan Calls Off Asia Cup Press Conference Amid Pull-Out Threat Over Handshake Controversy
The move followed the International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly refusing the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) insistence that Andy Pycroft be withdrawn from the list of match referees for the tournament. The PCB claimed that Pycroft had been instrumental in the "handshake" debacle in the Group A game against India.
BCCI Addresses Controversy Over India-Pakistan Handshake
The India-Pakistan match on Sunday recently set the talks abuzz following Team India's decision not to participate in the traditional post-match handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. This move was noticed by both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Hardik Pandya's new rumoured girlfriend after alleged breakup with Jasmin Walia
Mahieka has established herself as a household name in the fashion industry, having walked for celebrated designers and appeared in music videos and short films. She has worked for big brands, been awarded Model of the Year at the Indian Fashion Awards, and has been featured by prominent fashion magazines among the brightest stars in the industry.
Asia Cup No-Handshake Controversy: Pakistan Faces ICC Setback Over India Match Referee 'Request'
"The PCB has filed a complaint with the ICC against breaches by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws under the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has also called for the immediate ouster of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup," Naqvi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Team India Likely to 'Snub' Mohsin Naqvi Following Asia Cup 2025 'Handshake' Row: Report
Naqvi, also the Interior and Narcotics Control Minister of Pakistan, is the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President at present.
Gautam Gambhir, the Mind Behind 'No Handshake' with Pakistan, Reminded Players "Don't Forget..."
Instead, the center of attention moved away from the performance on the field to the India captain Suryakumar skipping handshakes with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and his players.
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