Andy Pycroft, the ICC-appointed match referee, reportedly received notice of the controversial no-handshake decision just minutes before the toss of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash on September 14. According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Pycroft received the information from the ACC venue manager while he was heading to the middle for the toss. Believing himself to be only a messenger of the directive, Pycroft informed Pakistan captain Salman Agha moments before the toss to prevent an awkward situation in front of cameras. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later lodged a formal complaint to the ICC, alleging that Pycroft had acted outside his remit and violated the spirit of cricket. They demanded his removal from the tournament and accused him of mishandling a situation that affected sportsmanship. Pycroft reportedly told the ICC that the timing made it impossible for him to escalate the matter. He maintained that with adequate notice, he would have consulted the governing body before acting. ICC officials concluded that Pycroft’s decision did not breach any code of conduct and that he acted within his powers to manage the toss proceedings smoothly. They stated that his role was not to govern protocols agreed outside the playing field, but to ensure the toss proceeded without disruption. Read also: Afghanistan Coach Hails Suryakumar Yadav’s India as Title Contenders Tense Negotiations Before UAE Match The PCB escalated matters before Pakistan’s must-win fixture against UAE on September 17, threatening to withdraw from the tournament unless Pycroft was removed. The game was delayed by an hour as emergency meetings took place between ICC officials, PCB management, and the Emirates Cricket Board. A meeting was eventually arranged between Pycroft, Pakistan’s team management, and captain. Pycroft clarified that he was merely relaying the ACC’s instruction and expressed regret over the misunderstanding. The PCB later issued a statement claiming that Pycroft had apologised, though ICC sources insisted it was an expression of regret, not a formal apology. The ICC reiterated that replacing match officials at a team’s request would set an undesirable precedent. They also maintained that Pycroft acted professionally under severe time constraints. Despite lingering disagreements, the tournament continued without further disruption, and Pycroft remained on duty for subsequent matches.