Asia Cup: Embarrassed Pakistan finally takes the field against UAE; Pycroft retained match referee - The Statesman

Who is Andy Pycroft? The ICC match referee and his long history with Pakistan

ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, who has been trending over the last few hours with Pakistan creating the last-minute drama ahead of their do-or-die clash against the UAE. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had alleged Pycroft of siding with India in the handshake controversy that triggered on Sunday (September 14) and wanted him to be removed from the Asia Cup. However, the ICC didn't budge to the demand and decided to keep him the match referee not o…

Asia Cup: Embarrassed Pakistan finally takes the field against UAE; Pycroft retained match referee - The Statesman

The drama began much earlier in the day. Hours before the scheduled start, uncertainty clouded the contest as the Pakistan players remained holed up at their hotel, even after their kit bags had already been loaded onto the team bus.

Timeline of PCB vs ICC on Andy Pycroft: How Pakistan was silenced amid handshake row - Inside Sport India

The International Cricket Council (ICC) categorically rejected all the demands made by the Pakistan Cricket Board over the handshake row in the ongoing Asia Cup. On Wednesday, Pakistan deliberately delayed the start of their final group stage tie against UAE by an hour as they were stubborn to get Andy Pycroft removed as the match referee. Irked by the handshake snub in the IND vs PAK tie, Pakistan threatened to boycott the match against UAE if …

Chaos, controversy and a rematch: What’s next for India vs Pakistan?

The Asia Cup, meant to celebrate cricket’s fiercest rivalries, has so far been consumed less by on-field exploits and more by political undertones and boardroom manoeuvres. Wednesday’s drama only reinforced that impression, with Pakistan nearly pulling out over the presence of match referee Andy Pycroft.