Zimbabwean match referee Andy Pycroft, who the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requested to be banned from Asia Cup 2025 following the controversial handshake incident, will reportedly officiate the Super 4 match between Pakistan and India on Sunday, September 21.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected PCB’s request to ban Pycroft from the remainder of the tournament. Despite the controversy, Pycroft officiated Pakistan’s recent match against the UAE without any changes.
The controversy arose after the Group stage match between India and Pakistan, when the PCB released a statement claiming that Pycroft had instructed captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands. Pakistan was visibly upset over the Indian players not shaking hands, with Agha notably skipping the post-game presentation duties in protest.
Before the match against the UAE, the PCB had formally written to the ICC requesting Pycroft’s ban, citing a violation of the spirit of cricket. The Pakistan vs. UAE match was also surrounded by rumors of a potential boycott from Pakistan’s side. However, after an hour’s delay, the game proceeded as scheduled.
Looking back at recent performances, both Team India and Pakistan secured victories in their previous matches. India defeated Oman, while Pakistan managed a 41-run win over the UAE. Though Pakistan will draw confidence from their recent win, they face a challenging task in overcoming the formidable Indian side.
In their Group Stage encounter, the Men in Blue outplayed Pakistan comprehensively, winning by seven wickets. While India rested key players Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy against Oman, both are expected to return for the high-stakes clash with Pakistan.
For Pakistan to triumph over India, they will need to deliver an exceptional performance. The Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup kicks off on Sunday with Sri Lanka facing Bangladesh, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament phase.
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