The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed that ICC match referee Andy Pycroft has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team. He had stopped the Indian and Pakistan captains from shaking hands during the match between two arch-rivals on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. PCB had urged the ICC to take strict against the official and removed him from the Continental Cup. However, their request was not accepted by the apex body of international cricket.
Pakistan then placed their second demand in front of the ICC. The officials told the governing body to stop Andy Pycroft from officiating in Pakistan matches but even this plea was rejected.
Pakistan threatened to pullout of the match against the UAE and players were told to stay in the hotel. After a lot of drama and negotiations, the Men in Green agreed to play the contest after a delay of one hour.
“The ICC’s match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team,” the PCB said in a statement.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly objected to Andy Pycroft’s behaviour. Pycroft termed the incident a result of miscommunication and apologised.
The ICC is ready to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation that happened during the IND vs PAK match. Meanwhile, Andy Pycroft is the match referee in the ongoing match between Pakistan and the UAE.