Ahead of Pakistan’s crucial Asia Cup Group A encounter against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and amid threats of a boycott, Zimbabwean match referee Andy Pycroft apologised to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and their team manager, claimed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Here’s the full statement issued by the PCB on Pycroft’s apology: “The ICC’s match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Andy Pycroft had barred the captains of India and Pakistan from shaking hands during their match.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly reacted to Andy Pycroft’s actions. Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised. The ICC has expressed its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation that occurred during the September 14 match.”
However, there’s a twist. A source told news agency PTI: “The apology has only been tendered for the miscommunication and ICC will only conduct its investigation only when PCB furnish further evidence as to what was Pycroft’s fault.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier sent a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) demanding an apology from Pycroft and his removal from their match against UAE, alleging that he had allowed the no-handshake row to take place after Pakistan’s match against India.
A real sad view for haters. Pakistan stands firm and makes the match refree realize his folly. Politics should never come into play.#PAKvsUAE #AsiaCup2025 #PCB #Cricket pic.twitter.com/MHelbwBdQN
— Awais Hameed (@awais_hameed) September 17, 2025
Pakistan had initially threatened to pull out of their fixture against UAE after the ICC rejected Pakistan’s demand to remove him. However, it seems as if Pycroft’s apology took place after that, with the Pakistan-UAE match eventually getting underway an hour later.
The match between Pakistan and UAE holds immense importance as the winner of the match will qualify for the Super Four from Group A, while the loser will get knocked out.
