India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash heats up as Andy Pycroft is set to officiate again, sparking controversy and tensions ahead of the game.(Image Credit: Outlook India)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has again appointed Andy Pycroft as the match referee for the India-Pakistan Asia Cup Super Four match on Sunday, in spite of repeated requests from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to exclude him from the tournament.
A report says that the 69-year-old veteran Zimbabwean Test batter will be in charge of the high-profile Super Four match between India and Pakistan. Pycroft had already been on duty for last Sunday's match when, in a policy move, the Indian team refused to have their hands shaken with those of their Pakistani counterparts. Sunday's game official list of match officials has not come out yet, although former West Indies captain Richie Richardson is the other match referee on duty in the tournament.
PCB had submitted two distinct requests to the ICC, initially requesting Pycroft's exclusion from the tournament altogether, and subsequently specifically from Pakistan's matches. Both the requests were rejected outright.
ICC asserted that Pycroft, being an Elite Panel match referee, had been functioning solely as a messenger and was simply transmitting instructions received from the authorized Venue Manager of the Asian Cricket Council.
The row erupted after India captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to observe the traditional handshake ritual during the toss. Though the event rubbed the PCB the wrong way, ICC clarified Pycroft did not breach the 'Spirit of the Game' code.
There was a meeting organized after the match between Pycroft and the Pakistan team administration comprising captain Salman, head coach Mike Hesson, and team manager Naveed Akram Cheema. Pycroft said he "regretted the miscommunication," though ICC later clarified that no actual apology had been made.
The appointment of Pycroft for a second Indo-Pak match is an indication that the ICC is unyielding in its position. Recalling an Elite Panel match referee on the basis of a complaint from one board may be dangerous to do, the governing body feels. ICC also charged PCB with violating norms related to the 'Players and Match Officials Area' (PMOA), something which the PCB has refuted.
India trounced Pakistan by 7 wickets in a Super Four match, Pakistan scored 127/9 in 20 overs, led by Sahibzada Farhan with 40 and Shaheen Afridi left on 33 not out. Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav spearheaded the bowling, taking vital wickets to seal the deal.
India ran down the target easily in 15.5 overs, remaining at 131/3. Suryakumar Yadav was the hero with an unbeaten 47, ably supported by Abhishek Sharma (31) and Tilak Varma (31). India's batting depth and tight bowling saw to a complete victory.
