New Delhi: Following a threat from the Pakistan team of withdrawing from the Asia Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has removed match referee Andy Pycroft from officiating in Pakistan matches. As per a report published in News18.com, which has quoted a report from news agency PTI, Pycroft will not be seen in the Pakistan games starting from their last and must-win fixture against UAE on Wednesday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allegedly said that Pycroft stood with Indian team during the handshake controversy on September 14 and he was the one who directed both the captain not to shake hands during the toss. The report further mentions that Richie Richardson will officiate in Pakistan’s third and final Group A clash on September 17.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that Pycroft will not be seen during the last league fixture of the Men in Green but now it has been learnt that he has been removed from all the remaining matches the team plays during the continental event. If Pakistan lose against UAE, which is quite unlikely, their campaign ends at the Asia Cup but if they win, which is quite likely to happen considering the opponent, they move into the Super4 stage.
Pakistan fire second letter to ICC
After being after the global cricketing body entire Monday with the threat of pulling out of the Asia Cup, the PCB, late on Tuesday evening, fired a second letter to the ICC in a move to build pressure on the global cricket board. As per multiple media reports, a high-level ICC meeting was underway in Dubai when the global cricketing body received another letter from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
It is also being learnt from few sources in the Pakistani media that PCB chief and current ACC head Mohsin Naqvi has threatened to resign from the role of ACC chief if the ICC does not agree to its demand.