The controversy surrounding Asia Cup match referee Andy Pycroft has deepened, with Pakistan’s firm and uncompromising stance leaving the International Cricket Council (ICC) with little choice but to remove the referee from overseeing Pakistan’s matches.
According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again written to the ICC, reiterating its demand for a change of match referee. Earlier, the ICC had dismissed Pakistan’s objections, but in its latest response, the PCB has rejected the council’s decision not to take action against Pycroft and has maintained its hardline position.
Insiders reveal that the PCB has categorically informed the ICC that Pakistan will refuse to play any match supervised by Andy Pycroft. Furthermore, the board warned that if its demand is not met, it will stand firm on its stance of boycotting matches. The PCB also criticized the ICC’s inquiry into the matter, terming it a mere formality that neither examined all aspects thoroughly nor engaged with the relevant stakeholders.
Pakistan has emphasized that the team will only agree to take the field once all concerns are addressed and the demand for replacing the referee is formally accepted. With Pakistan’s strong position, the ICC now finds itself in a difficult situation, and an official announcement on the referee’s future is expected soon.
