With the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 reaching its Super Four stage, in the second game, defending champions India are set to take on Pakistan on Sunday, September 21. While India will look to emulate their performance from their group stage of the continental tournament, the Men in Green will look to avenge their seven-wicket defeat as they look forward at the highly-anticipated game.
While the group stage fixture between India and Pakistan was marred with several controversies, one of the major one was Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claiming match referee Andy Pycroft responsible for the handshake row. However, there seemed to be a considerable understanding between all parties, which compelled Pakistan to withdraw their appeal.
Andy Pycroft to officiate IND vs PAK Asia Cup Super Four match
Amidst this, the Asian
Cricket Council (ACC) along with International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday, September 20 confirmed the match referee for the upcoming fixture. What comes as a blow to the Pakistan cricket team, the Zimbabwean national Andy Pycroft will officiate the big game. As per a report citing PTI, Pycroft will serve as the match referee despite PCB’s objections.
Known as a senior member of ICC’s Elite Panel of Match Officials, Pycroft has received a clean chit from the ICC after PCB’s admitted that the Zimbabwean apologised for his actions. However, the ICC remains on the stance that Pycroft hasn’t issued any apology, outrightly rejecting PCB’s claims.
Speaking of the game, India holds an upper hand in the fixture, having won 10 of the 14 matches played against Pakistan in T20Is. Whereas Pakistan has come out victorious on only three occasions, with one match ending in a draw.
