PCB Forces ICC to Replace Andy Pycroft as Referee
Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign took another dramatic turn as the ICC confirmed Richie Richardson will referee their crucial group game against the UAE, replacing Andy Pycroft. The decision followed a heated dispute between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and cricket’s global governing body.
Why the Change Was Made
Trouble began after the Pakistan–India clash on Sunday. Indian players avoided the traditional handshake, opting instead to silently honor the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The PCB viewed elements of the match, including Pycroft’s role, as controversial and demanded he be removed from further assignments involving Pakistan.
Initially, the ICC dismissed the complaint. The rejection, signed by ICC general manager Waseem Khan — formerly the PCB’s CEO — only deepened frustrations. However, after a day of tense dialogue, officials settled on a compromise. “A middle-of-the-road solution was finally reached,” one PCB insider revealed, confirming Richardson would oversee Pakistan’s next fixture.
Financial Pressure on PCB
The possibility of Pakistan withdrawing from the tournament loomed large during negotiations. Such a move would have left the PCB facing losses of up to USD 16 million, a blow the financially weaker board could not afford when compared with the BCCI.
Contrasting Preparations
The standoff clearly affected Pakistan’s build-up. Their scheduled press conference was cancelled just before players were due to train. When the squad did turn up, they went through light football drills rather than modern high-intensity work, giving the impression of a team masking stress with forced laughter.
By contrast, India’s camp looked razor sharp. Players endured a tough three-hour session under fitness coach Adrian Le Roux, with Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma completing Bronco runs to underline the group’s conditioning levels.
A Brief Celebration
While tensions dominated the headlines, India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav provided a cheerful moment by cutting a delayed birthday cake with journalists. The gesture came two days after he turned 35, coinciding with India’s convincing win over Pakistan.
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