By Asif Naveed
DUBAI/ISLAMABAD; Controversial match referee Andy Pycroft has issued an apology to Pakistan over the much-debated handshake row with India, calling the incident a case of “miscommunication.”
In a statement released on Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Pycroft had personally apologised to both the manager and captain of the national side. “Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised,” the PCB said, noting that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had also signalled its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the alleged breach of the code of conduct.
The controversy erupted during the high-profile Pakistan-India clash in the Asia Cup 2025, when both skippers bypassed the traditional handshake at the toss and again after the match. Reports suggested that Pycroft had directed the players to skip the customary greeting, a move that drew criticism from Pakistan and sparked widespread debate.
The PCB has taken a hard line on the issue. Sources revealed that the board has penned a second letter to the ICC, rejecting its refusal to remove Pycroft from the tournament. The PCB has threatened to boycott fixtures overseen by him, calling the ICC’s proposed inquiry “a mere formality” that fails to examine all aspects of the incident. “Pakistan will only agree to play once its reservations are fully addressed and a formal acceptance of its demand is announced,” the letter stated.
Meanwhile, tensions spilled into matchday arrangements. The Pakistan squad, initially instructed to remain at their hotel, eventually departed for the Dubai International Cricket Stadium after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi ordered the team to proceed. “We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the stadium. Further details to follow,” Naqvi wrote on X.
Players were seen leaving in upbeat spirits, though uncertainty loomed over the status of their group-stage clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Amir Mir, advisor to the PCB chairman, confirmed in a press briefing that the game had been delayed by an hour due to the ongoing dispute. The fixture, originally scheduled to begin earlier, was rescheduled to start at 8:30pm Pakistan Standard Time, with the toss set for 8pm.
Sources further disclosed that the PCB has demanded written confirmation of Pycroft’s replacement before the team takes the field. “If the referee change is not confirmed, the Pakistan team will not leave for the stadium,” one official said, adding that former West Indies captain Richie Richardson is likely to be appointed as the new match referee for Pakistan’s game against the UAE.
The handshake row has also fuelled wider controversy. After the India match, Pakistani players lined up for the traditional post-match handshake, only to see the Indian team walk away to celebrate among themselves before retreating to their dressing room. Indian captain Suryakumar later defended the move, saying it aligned with his board and government’s directives.
PCB Chairman Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council, condemned the incident and backed skipper Salman Ali Agha’s decision to boycott the post-match presentation ceremony in protest. The PCB has also formally lodged complaints with both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), intensifying pressure on cricket’s governing bodies to take action.
With the issue now in the ICC’s court, Pakistan has made it clear that the team’s participation in upcoming fixtures depends on the resolution of the dispute, as the row threatens to overshadow the Asia Cup’s group stage.
