PCB calls for removal of match referee Pycroft over Pakistan, India skippers' handshake saga

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), calling for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 over the handshake controversy during the Pakistan-India clash. The dispute arose at the toss, where both captains skipped the traditional handshake — an omission reportedly instructed by Pycroft. "The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding the match referee’s violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC laws. The match referee took action against the spirit of cricket. We have demanded the immediate removal of Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup," PCB chief Naqvi wrote in a post on his official X, formerly Twitter, handle on Monday.