Dubai, 16 Sept

The ICC has turned down Pakistan’s demand to remove senior match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup after the “no-handshake” row following their game against India.

The Pakistan Cricket Board alleged that Pycroft told captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss and prevented the exchange of team sheets.

After India’s seven-wicket win, the Indian players skipped handshakes as a mark of respect to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Pycroft, with 695 internationals to his name, will officiate Pakistan’s group game against the UAE on Wednesday. The PCB, however, had wanted him removed from the entire tournament.

The controversy has already cost PCB Director of Cricket Operations Usman Walha his job. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also ACC chief, sacked him for failing to brief the Pakistan captain on the “no handshake” policy. Sources said Naqvi was furious at the embarrassment caused.

While ICC rejected the plea, the PCB is still exploring whether another referee, like Richie Richardson, could stand in for their matches.