Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that the honor of the country remained intact despite the controversy after the Match Handshake after the Asia Cup 2025 collision with archrival India, while accused the match Referene Andy Pycroftt of Bias.
Naqvi, flanked by former presidents Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi, told reporters in Gaddafi Stadium that the Zimbabwe -Referee Andy Pycroft, which was formally established in Zimbabwe, had formally apologized to the national captain Salman Ali Agha, the coach and the worries of the side of the side.
“A short time ago, the competition referee apologized to the captain and team manager. We also submitted a formal request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to investigate the infringements that took place during the setup of 14 September,” Naqvi said.
“I consulted the former presidents Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja about this issue. Thank goodness the honor of Pakistan has been saved and now we expect the team to concentrate on their performance,” he added.
Former PCB chairman and commentator Ramiz Raja welcomed the development and called it a “victory for Pakistan” and urged all stakeholders to concentrate on cricket instead of distractions outside the field.
“This is a victory for Pakistan. Whatever pain felt, the focus must now return to the performance of the team. Cricket must remain cricket, not a political platform. The attention of everyone should be in play; the team must deliver the field,” said Raja.
He also asked the official official and remarked: “Andy Pycroftt has shown bias for the Indian team”.
Najam Sethi repeated the long -term position of the PCB: “The PCB has always maintained that politics should not have room in sport.”
The press conference followed the apology of Pycroft for the handshake row that arose during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Blockbuster against India.
According to the PCB, Pycroft described the incident due to miscommunication. The ICC has shown that the willingness to conduct a formal investigation into the alleged violation of the code of conduct.
“The ICC match referee, Pycroft, has apologized to the manager and captain of the Pakistan Cricket team,” the PCB said. “He had the captains of India and Pakistan to shake hands during the competition. The PCB responded strongly to his actions. The ICC has now expressed the willingness to investigate.”
In the meantime, the national team and the support staff arrived in the stadium after receiving PCB approval.
Pycroft, who held the PCB responsible for the wrong action of the handshake incident, had previously been reported that it had left for the ICC head office in Dubai.
