Asia Cup 2025: Salt on Pakistan’s wounds! Andy Pycroft appointed match referee for IND vs PAK Super Four clash

Andy Pycroft was blamed by PCB for telling Salman Agha to not shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav.

In what has been the latest development, it is learned that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Andy Pycroft as the match referee for the upcoming India vs Pakistan Super Four clash in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The match between the two teams will take place at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Sunday, September 21. 

This comes amid the controversy between India and Pakistan surrounding Andy Pycroft. After the game between the two arch-rivals in the league stage, a massive controversy erupted. Due to the Pahalgham terror attack, Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistan counterparts before and after the game. 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) then lodged an official complaint against Indian players and Andy Pycroft. They put the match referee under the scanner, saying that he told their skipper not to shake hands with the Indian captain and their counterparts. 

PCB wanted ICC to remove Andy Pycroft from Asia Cup 2025

Pakistan then demanded the sacking of Andy Pycroft from Asia Cup 2025. They also threatened to boycott the game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if the ICC doesn’t meet their demands. They delayed that game by one hour, which became a massive talking point. 

But, Pycroft got the green chit from the ICC and the PCB also mentioned that he apologised. The negotiations between ICC, PCB and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) took place as well and Pycroft served as the referee for the game between Pakistan and UAE.

Coming to the Super Four match between India and Pakistan, it is expected to be a high-intensity clash, especially with what happened in the group stage. Both teams will be entering the clash on the back of wins in their previous games and will be eager to go hard. 

In the first clash between them, India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets. They restricted the opposition to 127 and then chased the target inside 16 overs with six wickets in hand. India are undefeated in the tournament so far.

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