Pakistan is likely to overturn their decision to boycott the 2025 Asia Cup after the ICC denied their plea to sack Andy Pycroft from the referee panel. Following the handshake drama, PCB chairman, aka the ACC chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, launched a protest against the Indian players for notshaking hands after the match ended on September 14. They wrote to the ICC demanding the removal of concerned match referee Andy Pycroft. And there were reports suggesting that Pakistan threatened to boycott the tournament if their demands were not met. Notably Pycroft will be officiating Pakistan's final group-stage match, against the UAE. However, a recent development suggested that ICC denied all claims. A PtI report said that "ICC had sent a reply to PCB stating that Pycroft won’t be removed." And now, an ESPNCricinfo report is saying that Pakistan has no formal plans to give a walkover from the tournament. Read also: Afridi Slams India for Snubbing Pakistan Handshake What did Pakistan complain about Pycroft? The handshake drama continued from the toss, when Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain, stood with folded hands. It stayed when Shivam Dube, on the non-striker's end, walked away right after Suryakumar hit the winning six. The Pak players waited and even approached the Indian dressing room, but the doors were shut. Later, when Surya expressed his solidarity for the Pahalgam victims, Pakistan claimed that India politicized the match. Reports suggested that India informed Pycroft of their stand and that they will launch a soft protest. Pycroft simply conveyed the message to the Pakistan captain, Salman Ali Agha. However, according to Pakistan, Pycroft failed to act. Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema lodged a complaint with the ACC, claiming that it was Andy Pycroft who insisted that the captains not exchange team sheets on Sunday, contrary to usual practice. Read also: Who Is Andy Pycroft? Asia Cup 2025’s Most Debated Referee Was Pycroft guilty? Legally, no. First of all, there is no mandatory rule from the Marylebone Cricket Club that captains from both sides have to shake hands. MCC encourages players to do so, so that the spirit of cricket is upheld, and the players from both sides thank each other for participating. Moreover, the ICC sees little to no fault of the old man who has been one of the senior-most match referees in the International Cricket Council’s Elite Panel. According to the ICC, Pycroft simply transferred the message and had no role in the drama. Read also: Suryakumar Yadav May Refuse Asia Cup Trophy from Naqvi PCB sacks Director of cricket Operations The PCK chairman Mohsin Naqvi has ordered the sacking of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Director of Cricket Operations, Usman Walha. According to the report of PTI, Walha was aware of the procedures. However, he did not inform Salman Agha. This made Naqvi annoyed and ordered to sack Walha for causing embarrassment to the team, the captain and the nation.