The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it will not accept PCB’s demand to remove match-referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup.
The controversy has escalated, as Cricbuzz reports that the PCB is considering instructing the Pakistan team to withdraw from their next match against UAE in protest over the ICC’s decision. Such a move would eliminate Pakistan from the tournament, as they and the UAE are vying for the second Super Four spot from Group A. India has already advanced by defeating both the UAE and Pakistan.
The PCB complained to the ACC and ICC, stating that Pycroft had little to no involvement in the incident. According to the PCB, he only relayed the Indian team’s message to Pakistan captain, Salman Ali Agha, in order to avoid embarrassment at the toss for the India-Pakistan match.
Salman didn’t look upset at toss time. But after Suryakumar Yadav and his mates refused to shake hands after the game, he refused to turn up for the post-match interview.
“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi had written to ICC.
It will be fascinating to see whether PCB and Naqvi have the guts to pull out of what is a virtual knockout match. This would mean that Pakistan will be eliminated from the Asia Cup in the group stage itself.
