The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is standing by its tough demand for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup, while the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) are working to find a compromise.According to sources, the PCB has refused to soften its position on Pycroft’s removal, insisting that he should no longer officiate in Pakistan’s matches.

The demand stems from the ongoing controversy surrounding his role in the India-Pakistan game earlier in the tournament. The ACC has begun efforts to de-escalate the standoff, holding consultations and presenting proposals to the PCB. According to Indian media reports, the governing body is actively seeking a middle ground to prevent the matter from overshadowing the rest of the tournament.

One suggestion under discussion is that Andy Pycroft will remain part of the referee panel but will not supervise Pakistan’s matches. Instead, former West Indies captain Richie Richardson is being considered as the replacement referee for fixtures involving Pakistan.This move would allow Pycroft to continue officiating in other matches of the Asia Cup, while addressing Pakistan’s concerns. The ICC, which finalizes the appointment of match referees in consultation with the ACC, has also started considering this compromise.

Two referees were initially finalised for the Asia Cup, and if agreed, Richardson would handle Pakistan’s games while Pycroft covers the rest. Meanwhile, sources say that the ICC has officially turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, escalating tensions between the cricketing body and Pakistan.They said that on Tuesday, the ICC formally rejected the PCB’s request to replace Pycroft.

The decision was conveyed to the PCB a day earlier and confirmed in an official letter. The ICC has allegedly clarified that Pycroft was simply following ACC officials’ instructions. The council had decided there would be no handshakes at the toss, and Pycroft was only relaying that directive. ICC dismissed the suggestion that he acted on India’s behalf, the sources said.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)