Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan National Cricket Team Exposed! Claims of Andy Pycroft apologising to PCB were brutally turned down

The Pakistan National Cricket Team became part of the controversy ahead of the match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Asia Cup 2025. The game between the two teams is underway at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. 

With the match just around the corner, the Pakistan National Cricket Team decided to boycott the match against the UAE. This came after the ICC rejected their demand to sack Andy Pycroft as the match referee for the remainder of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. 

But the ICC didn’t find Andy Pycroft guilty and he was given a clean chit to officiate in the rest of the games of the Asia Cup 2025. He was also named as the match referee for the game between Pakistan and the UAE, which took place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on 17th September. 

This didn’t go well with Pakistan as they decided to boycott the game against the UAE. They didn’t come to the stadium and it surprised many. However, some decisions took place and they arrived in the stadium with the match getting delayed by one hour.

PCB released an official statement, saying that Andy Pycroft offered an apology to skipper Salman Agha and the team manager

After Pakistan arrived at the stadium, PCB released an official statement, saying that Andy Pycroft offered an apology to skipper Salman Agha and the team manager. The statement read: 

"The ICC's 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.India national cricket team merchandise.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly reacted to Andy Pycroft's actions. Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologized. The ICC has expressed its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation that occurred during the September 14 match."

However, a source close to PTI claimed that Andy Pycroft issued an apology only due to some miscommunication and nothing else. The report claimed that ICC will be only investigating if PCB provides evidence.  

“The apology has only been tendered for the miscommunication, and ICC will only conduct its investigation only when PCB furnishes further evidence as to what was Pycroft's fault."  

The report claimed that ICC was not keen to bow to pressure from the PCB, cautioning that doing so might create a risky precedent going forward. This was the main reason by Pycroft was the match referee in the game between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Also Read: Pakistan National Cricket Team To Boycott Asia Cup 2025? PCB in Discussion Over Handshake Row!