The International Cricket Council (ICC) has retained Andy Pycroft as match referee for the high-voltage India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Super 4 clash on Sunday, despite the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) repeated calls to remove him from officiating duties.
A tournament source confirmed to PTI that “Andy Pycroft is the match referee for the Indo-Pak game,” though the official list of match officials is yet to be made public.
The other referee on duty in the tournament is former West Indies captain Richie Richardson.
The decision is significant given the controversy that erupted earlier in the group stage encounter on September 14, when Indian players did not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the match.
The PCB had since demanded Pycroft’s suspension, alleging mishandling of the post-match proceedings.
Speculation even swirled that Pakistan might pull out of the Asia Cup altogether, though the team eventually continued in the tournament.
Now, with both teams set to renew their rivalry in the Super 4s, the ICC’s move to persist with Pycroft signals a clear stand against altering officiating assignments amid pressure.
The India vs Pakistan contest, already the most anticipated fixture of the Asia Cup, now carries the added backdrop of lingering tensions between the two cricket boards.
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