India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025, Super Four match: Will Andy Pycroft continue as the match referee?
Despite demands from PCB, Andy Pycroft will continue as the match referee for the India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup super four stage.
Last Updated: 05.31 PM, Sep 20, 2025
More than the players, more than the match, and even more than the tournament itself, one thing that the Pakistan Cricket Board has made a fuss of is the appointment of match referee Andy Pycroft after the ‘hand-shaking’ incident during the first India vs Pakistan match in the Group stage, which India won comfortably. So, before India take on Pakistan in the Super Four again, the question is, will Andy Pycroft continue as the match referee for this match?
What happened?
The Indian men’s cricket team and captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with the Pakistani Cricket team after their win in the group stage of the Asia Cup 2025 on 14th September.
Suryakumar, who was unbeaten in that match during the second inning, hit a six in the final ball and then ran off the ground and never came back to shake hands with the opponents.
The Pakistani Cricket team waited for a while for the Indian team to comeback, but they never returned to the ground before the post match presentation started.
Read Also: Here is how you can watch the Asia Cup online in India.
After the Pehlgham terror attack, a large section of Indian fans had suggested boycotting the Asia Cup or the India vs Pakistan match, and Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav maintained the Indian Government and BCCI’s stand against Pakistan’s involvement in terror attacks by not participating in anything with them, rather than just playing the match.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav even dedicated the win over Pakistan to the Indian Armed Forces and mentioned that the Men in Blue will always look to bring a smile to the faces of those who lost their near ones, with the cricket they play.
Pakistan tried to provoke ICC
After that incident, the Pakistan cricket team felt insulted and they wanted to provoke the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) by threatening not to play their must-win match against the UAE.
Pakistan Cricket Board wanted Andy Pycroft’s removal from the post of match referee during their games, but ICC and ACC denied that. Pakistan went on to play the UAE match, with Pycroft being the match referee, but the game started one hour late due to their drama.
Will Andy Pyrcoft be the match referee in the IND vs PAK match?
As per ESPNCricinfo, ICC has stood behind Andy Pycroft and his appointment as the match referee for the India vs Pakistan Super Four match. He will continue as the match referee for the match.
Can ICC/ACC or the match referee force India to shake hands?
We have already reported that, as per former international umpire Anil Chaudhary, there is no rule in cricket that can force any team or captain to shake hands with their opponents after the game. If it is in their goodwill, they can do that, but it is not a mandate.