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Pakistan says match referee apologizes for handshake incident at Asia Cup

On September 17, 2025, ICC match referee Andy Pycroft apologized to the leader and manager of the Pakistan cricket team regarding a handshake dispute that occurred during the Asia Cup in Dubai.
The incident arose from a refusal by India's players to shake hands with Pakistan’s team on September 14, a decision linked to directives aligned with the Indian government and cricket board.
Following the controversy, the Pakistan Cricket Board accused Pycroft of mishandling the situation, demanded his removal from the tournament, and delayed team departure to the stadium on September 17.
Pycroft described the September 14 event as miscommunication and expressed regret, while PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi urged support for the team and emphasized that cricket should stay above politics.
The ICC agreed to investigate the conduct violations from the Pakistan-India match, and the upcoming Pakistan-UAE game is critical for Pakistan's advancement in the Asia Cup.

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Pakistan Today

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Pakistan players are demanding the removal of Andy Pycroft as match referee for the match against the UAE scheduled for 8 pm IST start..Pakistan cricket, Asia Cup, UAE match, PCB boycott, ICC complaint, Andy Pycroft, match referee, India-Pakistan match, handshake controversy, T20 event, Group A, Super 4, cricket news, Pakistan team hotel, cricket Code of Conduct

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NDTV

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Match Referee Andy Pycroft Apologises To Pakistan Captain, ICC Open To Conduct Inquiry On Handshake Row: PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a statement saying, "Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised"

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Al Jazeera

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Indian Express

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Andy Pycroft has apologised to Pakistan’s captain and manager, says PCB amid Asia Cup handshake row

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India Today

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Referee Andy Pycroft apologises after Pak drama but not for handshake row

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