The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has warned that it will not play any further matches in the ongoing Asia Cup if match referee Andy Pycroft is not immediately removed from his duties.

The warning comes after Pycroft allegedly stopped Pakistan and India’s captains from shaking hands during their high-voltage clash in Dubai.

According to PCB sources, the board has raised a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The protest letter describes the referee’s actions as a “serious violation” of both the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws governing the Spirit of Cricket.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the protest on Twitter, saying the board had demanded Pycroft’s removal and called his conduct “damaging to the integrity of the game.”

The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup.
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 15, 2025

Details of incident

The PCB claims:

Pycroft told captain Salman Ali Agha before the toss that “there would be no handshake.”
He instructed Pakistan’s media manager not to record the moment.
His actions undermined the traditions of cricket and failed the responsibilities of his office.

PCB’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, also raised objections with tournament director Andrew Russell after the game.

According to the letter, Russell admitted the directive initially came from the Indian cricket board but was later clarified as “instructions from the Indian government.”