Andy Pycroft apologises to Pakistan over handshake row; ICC to investigate matter 'only' if PCB provides further evidence- Reports

PCB claimed that Andy Pycroft apologised to Pakistan captain and team manager.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed that match referee Andy Pycroft apologised to Pakistan captain, Salman Agha, and team manager over the handshake row ahead of their clash against UAE in Asia Cup 2025. During the India vs Pakistan clash on Sunday (September 14), Pycroft reportedly had asked Pakistan skipper Salman not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav.

If this was not enough, Indian players did not shake hands with Pakistan players after winning the match. This triggered the Men in Green as well and their skipper Salman Agha did not attend the post-match presentation ceremony. Later, PCB lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against India and match referee Pycroft, making a demand to suspend him.

Pakistan also threatened to boycott their match against UAE. However, ICC did not find any wrongdoing in their investigation and rejected PCB’s demands with Pycroft getting clean chit. This didn’t go well with Pakistan as they did not arrive at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on time for the match against UAE. Later, they agreed to play the match, which commenced after a delay of one hour.

Andy Pycroft apologised to Pakistan captain and team manager: PCB

In an official statement, PCB claimed that Pycroft apologised to Pakistan captain and team manager ahead of PAK vs UAE clash. They also added that ICC will conduct an enquiry into the matter.

“The ICC’s match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologized 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 statement said.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly reacted to Andy Pycroft’s actions. Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologized. The ICC has expressed its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation that occurred during the September 14 match,” it further added.

However, according to reports by PTI, ICC will only conduct an investigation if PCB submits more evidence into the matter.

“The apology has only been tendered for the miscommunication, and ICC will only conduct its investigation only when PCB furnishes further evidence as to what was Pycroft’s fault,” a source told PTI.

Meanwhile, UAE won the toss and opted to bowl first in the encounter. Pakistan lost both of their openers cheaply, as Saim Ayub got out for a duck while Sahibzada Farhan lost his wicket for five runs.

Fakhar Zaman (50) slammed a half-century, while Shaheen Afridi added crucial 29 runs in the end to power the team’s total to 146/9. The winner of the PAK vs UAE game will qualify for Super Four round from Group A and will join India, who won both of their opening games.

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