ICC declines Pakistan's request to replace match referee Andy Pycroft after handshake row

ICC won't sack match referee Andy Pycroft. (Photo: X)

As reported by PTI, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s appeal to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from his duties.

The PCB had filed a complaint with the ICC alleging that Pycroft asked Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, at the time of the toss, not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav in their Asia Cup match on Sunday.

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"Late last night, ICC had sent a reply to PCB stating that Pycroft won't be removed and their plea has been rejected," an ICC source told PTI.

The 69-year-old Zimbabwean is due to officiate Pakistan's final group stage game against the UAE on Wednesday.

Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema had also filed a complaint with the Asian Cricket Council alleging that it was on Pycroft's insistence that team sheets weren't exchanged between the two skippers on Sunday as is the norm. (With PTI inputs)