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Andy Pycroft and Pakistan Cricket Board clash over handshake row during India-Pakistan match; ICC considers inquiry into code of conduct violation.
In the eye of the storm: Match Referee Andy Pycroft
The biggest question that has been lingering over the past 12 to 13 hours is whether match referee Andy Pycroft apologised to the Pakistan team after it claimed that he was the one responsible for the entire handshake row against India, having told the captains not to shake hands at the toss.
The team had earlier refused to leave its hotel for the must-win group game, as Pycroft would officiate the game that was to start at 8 pm IST, but started at 9, due to a delay from the Pakistan team.
Teams are required to report to the stadium two hours before the start of the match, which Pakistan couldn’t do in protest.
The match started an hour late, with the PCB claiming that Pycroft had apologised for the miscommunication during the India-Pakistan clash on Sunday, September 14, which sparked the handshake controversy.
“Andy Pycroft had barred the captains of India and Pakistan from shaking hands during their match. The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly reacted to Andy Pycroft’s actions,” a statement from the PCB said.
“Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised. The ICC has expressed its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation that occurred during the September 14 match,” the statement added.
However, Indian media reports tell a different tale. As per The Times of India, amidst the drama, Pycroft proposed a meeting with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha and manager Naveed Akram Cheema.
The report states that coach Mike Hesson joined the meeting in the match referee’s room at the Dubai International Stadium as well, where Pycroft addressed the Pakistan camp about the possible miscommunication.
“There was no question of any apology. Especially from someone who did no wrong,” a well-placed source was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
Reports suggest the International Cricket Council turned down Pakistan Cricket Board’s request to remove Pycroft from the panel and informed the board on Monday, though discussions between the two sides have continued.
September 18, 2025, 09:00 IST
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