Andy Pycroft Confirmed as Referee for India-Pakistan Super Four Clash in Asia Cup 2025
ICC confirms Andy Pycroft as referee for India vs Pakistan Super Four clash in Asia Cup 2025, dismissing PCB concerns after handshake row
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Andy Pycroft will continue as match referee for the high-profile India vs Pakistan Super Four clash of Asia Cup 2025 on September 21 in Dubai.
The ICC informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of his appointment, reiterating that an inquiry had cleared Pycroft of any wrongdoing during the earlier handshake controversy. ICC officials stressed that his integrity cannot be questioned.
“The integrity and credibility of a match official should never be questioned once a fair inquiry has exonerated him,” said a source familiar with the developments in Dubai.
Pycroft will also referee:
- Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (September 20, Dubai)
- India vs Bangladesh (September 24, Dubai)
- Pakistan vs Bangladesh (September 25, Dubai)
Meanwhile, Richie Richardson will oversee matches in Abu Dhabi, including Pakistan vs Sri Lanka on September 23. The Asia Cup final on September 28 in Dubai will have officials appointed based on tournament performance.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta underlined that the appointment of match officials is an ICC responsibility, leaving no role for member boards in the process.
The PCB has kept tensions simmering by cancelling its pre-match media conference before the India fixture, echoing its move ahead of the UAE match on September 17 that led to a delayed start.
Earlier, PCB had claimed Pycroft expressed regret over the handshake issue, but ICC firmly denied any apology. Adding to the confusion, Ramiz Raja’s remarks that Pycroft had officiated in 90 India games were found misleading; in reality, he has refereed in over 530 matches worldwide, including 120+ involving India and 100+ with Pakistan.
