Handshake Row Ends with Pycroft Apology, but Controversial Referee Remains for Pakistan's UAE Match

The ICC has confirmed that match referee Andy Pycroft will officiate Pakistan’s must-win group-stage match against the UAE on Wednesday, despite the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) repeated requests for his removal. According to a statement from the PCB, Pycroft has apologized to the Pakistan team's manager and captain, describing the controversial incident during the India-Pakistan match as a "miscommunication".

The ICC has also expressed its willingness to investigate any potential violations of its Code of Conduct that occurred during the match on September 14.

How the Controversy Unfolded

The dispute began after the high-profile India-Pakistan match on September 14, where India, following a 7-wicket victory, refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players. Adding to the tension, match referee Andy Pycroft prohibited the captains of both teams from exchanging handshakes.

The Pakistan Cricket Board reacted strongly to Pycroft's action. In protest, the Pakistan team withdrew from the post-match presentation ceremony. The PCB later lodged two formal complaints against Pycroft, citing breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC laws on the spirit of cricket. The board also threatened to withdraw from the tournament if its concerns were not addressed.

Tensions Continue Ahead of Crucial Match

Tensions remained high on Wednesday when the Pakistan team arrived late to the Dubai International Stadium, delaying their match against the UAE by an hour. The team had also cancelled its pre-match press conference on Tuesday, though it did complete a scheduled practice session.

Despite the official complaints and procedural delays, the ICC denied the PCB’s request to remove Pycroft from his duties, leaving the controversial referee in charge of Pakistan’s crucial final group-stage match.