The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) caused a scene during the Asia Cup 2025 when it asserted that ICC match referee Andy Pycroft had "apologised" to the Pakistani team. Facts, however, tell a different story. Pakistan's Protest Before UAE Match Before taking on UAE in their group match in Dubai, Pakistan players did not leave the hotel and waited for guidance from the PCB headquarters in Lahore. The impasse led to a one-hour delay before the match began. PCB added that Pycroft had made an apology for "miscommunication" on the day of India-Pakistan conflict on September 14, when Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav had declined to shake hands with Salman Ali Agha in a gesture of respect to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. In PCB's release, "ICC's controversial match referee Andy Pycroft has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistani cricket team. Andy Pycroft termed the incident on September 14 as a result of miscommunication and apologised." They even stated that the ICC was prepared to probe the "violation" of the Code of Conduct. Also Read | Pakistan Agrees to 'No-Handshake' Policy for Super Four Clash vs India Fact Check: No Apology from Pycroft In spite of PCB's public boasts, ICC sources have asserted that Pycroft did not apologize. The meeting took place at the Dubai International Stadium involving Pycroft, Salman Ali Agha, manager Naveed Akram Cheema, and coach Mike Hesson. But the meeting was to clear miscommunication, not an apology. A source informed TOI: "There was no question of any apology. Especially from someone who did no wrong." Surprisingly, the meeting video uploaded by PCB was muffled, and this only added to speculation about their version of events. ICC remained unyielding in its stance, insisting Pycroft had acted in accordance with rules and that referees cannot be removed at a team's behest since it would set a dangerous precedent. Eventually, Pakistan acquiesced and played the UAE match under Pycroft's officiating, despite having threatened to withdraw initially.