Watch: ‘Humiliated’ PCB celebrates as Andy Pycroft apologizes to Pakistan over no-handshake row
Table of Contents
After the ICC did not agree to PCB's demand for the immediate replacement of Andy Pycroft, the humiliated PCB rejoiced since Pycroft, as a part of gentlemanship, had apologized to the board for the incidents that took place during the India vs Pakistan clash on Sunday.
The denial of a handshake by Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav after the modest chase ended in favour of the Men in Blue has left a deep scar on the reputation of the Pakistani cricketers and their board. The Indian players avoided the customary handshake at the end of the match as a part of their silent protest against the terror attacks on their nation.
PCB finally issues its official statement on the Sunday incident
The PCB seems delighted, as Andy Pycroft has made a formal apology to the PCB, despite the ICC not paying heed to their plea to replace Pycroft from the list of match referees brought in for the Asia Cup 2025.
"The ICC's controversial match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Andy Pycroft had barred the captains of India and Pakistan from shaking hands during their match. The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly reacted to Andy Pycroft's actions," PCB said.
The ICC match referee has mentioned that the incident that led to utter humiliation for the Pakistani players at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday was a result of miscommunication.
"Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised," PCB added. "The ICC has expressed its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation that occurred during the September 14 match."
The Pakistan Cricket Board is also pleased by the fact that the ICC has agreed to conduct an official inquiry into the issues that occurred on Sunday.
Andy Pycroft apologized to Salman Ali Agha, Mike Hesson & team manager, in the presence of ICC GM Wasim Khan. pic.twitter.com/qjODmJ1tfm
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) September 17, 2025
ALSO READ: Pakistan continue clownery, make another U-turn after Asia Cup boycott drama, agree for UAE clash
PCB gives green signal to Pakistan players after delaying tactics go in vain
The Pakistan Cricket Board made all their attempts to come out of the humiliation faced during the Sunday clash between India and Pakistan. India has long moved on from the antics in the Asia Cup clash on Sunday and is practising at the ICC Academy for the upcoming matches.
However, the PCB have been deeply impacted by the same and they have made desperate attempts to convince the ICC to accept their demand of removing the match referee from the Asia Cup. However, the ICC has not responded likewise.
They also used the tactic of threatening to boycott the Asia Cup tournament and then even delayed the game against the UAE, hoping for a response; however, with nothing in their favour, they agreed to start the game after it was delayed by an hour.
Pakistan struggle in a do-or-die encounter against the UAE
The UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem won the toss and asked Pakistan to bat first. Pakistan did not have the best of starts to their innings in such a crucial match. The opening batter, Saim Ayub, registered his third consecutive duck of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan, in no time, had lost both their openers, as UAE's most experienced paceman, Junaid Siddique, handed them back-to-back breakthroughs in successive overs. After the early carnage from the UAE, their most experienced batter, Fakhar Zaman and skipper Salman Agha have stirred a partnership to end the powerplay on a decent note.
At the end of the powerplay, Pakistan are 2/39 and are slowly setting the stage for a bounce back.
