The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup 2025. The development has stirred widespread debate in the cricketing fraternity, with many questioning whether the sanctity of the game’s traditions was compromised.

Controversy at the Toss

The controversy arose during the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025. Observers noted that both team captains did not engage in the customary handshake at the toss, a gesture seen as a symbolic representation of sportsmanship and mutual respect. Reports later surfaced claiming that this move was instructed by match referee Andy Pycroft.

For cricket fans across the world, especially those emotionally invested in the Indo-Pak rivalry, the omission of this gesture felt like an unnecessary provocation and a deviation from cricket’s established traditions.

PCB’s Stance on the Matter

The PCB has strongly condemned the incident, arguing that the decision to skip the handshake directly undermines the Spirit of Cricket. According to their statement, the tradition is not merely ceremonial but represents the very essence of fairness, camaraderie, and respect in the sport.

By attributing the directive to Pycroft, PCB believes that the sanctity of one of cricket’s most symbolic moments was deliberately compromised, thereby setting a dangerous precedent. The board insists that such actions erode the trust between teams and fans, which is vital for the sport’s credibility.

Call for Immediate Removal

PCB’s complaint to the ICC and MCC explicitly demands the removal of Andy Pycroft as match referee for the Asia Cup. The board has argued that his alleged interference in this matter shows bias and poor judgment, raising concerns over impartiality in high-profile fixtures.

Officials from the PCB stressed that referees are entrusted with upholding the Spirit of Cricket, not curtailing it. Any violation of this responsibility, they argue, warrants strict accountability.

Global Reactions to the Incident

The episode has sparked intense discussions in cricketing circles worldwide. Fans, analysts, and former players have voiced mixed opinions, with some backing PCB’s call for accountability while others questioning whether the gesture was blown out of proportion.

What remains clear, however, is that in a tournament as significant as the Asia Cup, any deviation from long-standing traditions becomes amplified. With Pakistan and India already locked in one of the fiercest rivalries in world sport, the absence of the handshake has drawn even more attention than expected.