- Excessive-level PCB assembly set to happen, say sources.
- PCB had demanded removing of Andy Pycroft from Asia Cup.
- Controversy arises after Pak,Ind skippers don’t shake palms.
Match referee Andy Pycroft is anticipated to be faraway from Pakistan’s remaining Asia Cup clashes, sources instructed Geo Information on Tuesday, hours earlier than the Inexperienced Shirts tackle the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Pakistan will play towards the UAE after the removing of the match referee,” the individuals conversant in the matter stated, because the Males In Inexperienced’s pre-match press convention was additionally cancelled. Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) high-level assembly is anticipated to determine on the group’s future within the ongoing event.
In a press release, PCB’s spokesperson stated that the board has not but taken a closing choice relating to the Asia Cup. “Consultations are ongoing, and a closing choice will probably be made by tomorrow. The choice will probably be taken holding Pakistan’s pursuits in view,” the spokesperson confused.
The PCB had filed an official criticism with the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC), accusing Pycroft of violating the “Spirit of Cricket” by allegedly asking the Pakistan and India captains to not shake palms on the toss earlier than their Asia Cup 2025 fixture on Sunday.
The criticism additionally referred to the absence of the customary handshake between the 2 sides after the match.
Folks conversant in the difficulty had earlier instructed Geo Information that Pakistan was contemplating withdrawing from the event if its demand was not met.
In the meantime, the Indian media has reported that the ICC has turned down the PCB’s request to take away match referee Pycroft from the continued Asia Cup. Based on the studies, the ICC formally knowledgeable the PCB of its choice final evening, dismissing Pakistan’s stance that Pycroft had acted on the behest of the Indian group.
The controversy arose after Pakistan and India’s captains prevented a handshake on the toss throughout their September 14 Asia Cup fixture. The identical was repeated in direction of the top of the match, when the gamers of the opposing groups shook palms as per cricketing custom, the place the Indian group skipped the customary post-match handshake.
Whereas the Indian gamers congratulated one another on the dugout after the match, they avoided acknowledging or shaking palms with the Pakistani group.
Pakistan’s gamers lined up anticipating the customary handshake, solely to see the Indian group retreat and shut the dressing room doorways.
India’s victorious captain, Suryakumar Yadav, defended his group’s choice to not shake palms with the Pakistan gamers, saying that it was taken in alignment with their authorities and cricket board.
“We’re aligned with the federal government and Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI). Some issues are above sportsmanship. Is it actually sportsmanship if you happen to don’t even shake palms with the opposing group? That was our reply,” he stated.
Sunday’s match, the primary ever for the reason that two international locations have been concerned in an armed battle triggered by India’s cross-border assault, adopted by Pakistan’s retaliation and launch of “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”.
The hostilities left greater than 70 individuals lifeless in missile, drone, and artillery exchanges earlier than a ceasefire was ultimately reached.
The neighbours haven’t met on both facet’s soil in a bilateral sequence since 2012 and solely play one another in worldwide tournaments on impartial floor as a part of a compromise deal.
