Asia Cup 2025: Richie Richardson to replace referee Andy Pycroft in Pakistan matches amid handshake -controversy

After many, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) withdrew its pull-out threat and put the team on Wednesday in its last Asia Cup Group League match against the UAE in Dubai. PCB sources told the news agency PTI that a ‘mid-the-road’ agreement was reached by which referee Andy Pycroft will not host the matches that Pakistan will be involved with with Richie Richardson being summoned to do duty in their must-win match. What is the controversy? The PCB asked for the removal of PYCRoft from the tournament citing ICC rules and regulations. Pakistan’s plea came after their loss in Sunday’s game against India, when the Indian players refused to shake their hand with their Pakistani counterparts as a sign of respect for the Pahalgam victim attack in which 26 people were killed. The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially rejected the PCB referee Andy Pycroft from the PCB for the ASIA Cup 2025 on Tuesday, from the PCB PCB. By the way, the letter of rejection received by the ICC PCB was signed by the general manager Wadsem Khan, who was previously the CEO of the Belaguered Cricket Council.