The ongoing Asia Cup 2025 witnessed a dramatic turn as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) successfully pushed for the replacement of match referee Andy Pycroft for their crucial encounter against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This development comes after a tense standoff between the PCB and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Pycroft’s role in the tournament, particularly following the controversial India-Pakistan match.
Andy Pycroft, a former Zimbabwean cricketer and an experienced match referee, had been appointed by the ICC to oversee several matches in the Asia Cup, including Pakistan’s fixtures. However, his impartiality was questioned by the PCB after the India-Pakistan game, where Pycroft was involved in enforcing disciplinary actions that Pakistan deemed unfair. The PCB’s dissatisfaction escalated to the point where they threatened to pull out of the tournament if Pycroft continued as match referee for their matches.
The situation reached a critical juncture when Pakistan’s team was reportedly instructed to remain in their hotel, delaying their departure for the must-win match against UAE. This pause underscored the seriousness of the dispute, with the PCB demanding Pycroft’s immediate removal from the Asia Cup officiating panel.
In a compromise to defuse the tension and avoid Pakistan’s withdrawal, the ICC agreed to “rest” Andy Pycroft for the Pakistan-UAE match. Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson was named as his replacement for this fixture, marking a significant win for the PCB while allowing the tournament to proceed smoothly.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), had been vocal in his demand for Pycroft’s removal, citing concerns over fairness and neutrality. The ICC, initially resistant to the PCB’s complaint, eventually conceded to the change to maintain harmony and the integrity of the tournament.
This episode highlights the delicate balance cricket’s governing bodies must maintain in managing high-stakes international tournaments, especially when political and sporting tensions intersect. The Asia Cup 2025 continues, but the Pycroft controversy will be remembered as a defining moment of this edition.