Uncertainty surrounds Pakistan’s future in the Asia Cup after the ICC refused to remove match referee Andy Pycroft. On Tuesday evening, the Pakistan team cancelled their pre-match press conference in Dubai before their final Group A match against the UAE.
A player was scheduled to speak to the media before training at the ICC Cricket Academy. But the session was called off. Team sources told PTI it was done to “avoid” tough questions about a possible withdrawal. Players did not want to answer while the PCB was still undecided.
PCB’s Complaint Against Pycroft
The controversy began after India beat Pakistan by seven wickets on Sunday. PCB claimed that Pycroft told both captains—India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salam Ali Agha—not to shake hands at the toss.
PCB wrote a formal complaint to the ICC, demanding Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup. They even threatened to pull out of the tournament if their request was denied.
An ICC source told PTI: “Late last night, ICC had sent a reply to PCB stating that Pycroft won’t be removed and their plea has been rejected.”
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Andy Pycroft, 69, is still set to referee Pakistan’s final group game against the UAE. Reports say PCB is looking for a “respectable solution” so Pycroft does not officiate their matches. Richie Richardson is being considered as a possible replacement.
Why Pakistan May Not Withdraw?
Even though PCB threatened to quit, a withdrawal seems unlikely. The financial cost would be huge. If Pakistan pulls out, it could lose INR 141 crore (USD 16 million) from the Asian Cricket Council’s revenue.
A source told PTI: “Can Naqvi risk Pakistan losing around USD 16 million out of a projected budget of USD 227 million for the fiscal year? That will be roughly seven per cent of the annual PCB revenue gone.”
Broadcasters would also be unhappy. Missing India-Pakistan matches could cause major revenue losses, as these games are the biggest draw of the Asia Cup.
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Politics Overshadowing Cricket
Cricket is beginning to be increasingly influenced by politics. The India-Pakistan rivalry is always fierce, and the Andy Pycroft scandal shows that even referees can become embroiled in controversy.
Instead of just playing, players and cricket boards are dealing with off-field problems. Fans are disappointed because they mainly want to watch the matches. As the Asia Cup goes on, the big question is not just who wins, but whether cricket can stay focused on the game and give fans the matches they expect.
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