The Men’s Asia Cup 2025, which is currently underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has gone intense with the teams fighting for a place in the Super Fours. Although India is the only team which have confirmed a spot in the Super 4 stage, Sri Lanka are also more of less confirmed, but either of Bangladesh or Afghanistan could make it, depending on the result of their group’s next match.
While all this remains on the side, the India versus Pakistan group stage fixture, which was played on Sunday, September 14 in Dubai, caught a lot of eyeballs. While the handshake furore continues, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft after the latter reportedly
informed Pakistan to refrain from shaking hands.
Richie Richardson to replace Andy Pycroft as match referee for PAK vs UAE: Reports
However, the ICC rejected PCB’s request as per the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) manual, which asserts that handshakes before or after matches are not mandatory. While the PCB was adamant to remove Pycroft from the entire tournament and also threatened to pull out, but it remains highly unlikely. But recent reports have claimed that the senior match official might be rested in Pakistan’s game against UAE.
A PCB source close to the development informed TOI, “Pakistan will the tournament, but Andy Pycroft will not be officiating the match against the UAE.” This comes after the Salman Ali Agha-led side snubbed the pre-match press conference. If the reports are to be believed, Richie Richardson is likely to replace Pycroft as the match referee in their game against UAE.
Speaking of the Asia Cup 2025, with the Indian cricket confirming a spot in the Super 4s, either of Pakistan or UAE will progress ahead, depending on the result of their match, which is scheduled to be played on Wednesday, September 17 in Dubai. If Pakistan wins, they will then play India on Sunday, September 21 in Dubai.
