The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the inappropriate conduct of match referee Andy Pycroft during the high-profile match against India in the ongoing Asia Cup.

In a strongly worded letter, the PCB has demanded that the ICC immediately remove Andy Pycroft and tournament director Andrew Russell over their poor conduct.

The PCB said that Pycroft acted in a manner detrimental to the spirit of the game and served as a tool for the Indian team, compromising the neutrality expected from match officials at this level.

Pycroft reportedly instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to engage in the customary post-match handshake, a move viewed as unprofessional.

ACC mulls penalties on Indian players

Meanwhile, sources said that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is considering imposing fines on Indian players for misconduct during the same match.

The PCB maintained that such behaviour from match officials undermines the fairness of international cricket and sets a dangerous precedent, especially in high-stakes encounters.

The ICC has not yet issued an official response to the PCB’s protest.

Pakistan coach disappointed

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said they were disappointed by India’s decision not to shake hands after Sunday’s politically-charged Asia Cup match between the bitter neighbours.

While the match itself passed without incident, there was no shaking of hands between the captains at the toss or among the players at the end.

“We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game; we obviously are disappointed that our opposition didn’t do that,” Hesson told reporters.

“We sort of went over there to shake hands, and they’d already gone into the changing room.

“That was a disappointing way for the match to finish, and a match we were disappointed for the way we played, but we were certainly willing to shake hands.”

Pakistan captain Salman Agha did not attend the presentation ceremony, which New Zealander Hesson said was a “follow-on effect” of India’s refusal to shake hands.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated their victory to their armed forces at the ceremony, and expressed solidarity with the victims of the April 22 attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

In the post-match press conference, Suryakumar said the players were aligned with the Indian cricket board and government.

“We took a call (on not shaking hands). We came here to just play the game. We have given a proper reply,” said the batter.

Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has remained suspended since 2013, and the arch-rivals play each other only in multi-team tournaments.

Sunday’s match went ahead despite calls in India for the team to boycott it.

India could face Pakistan twice more at the tournament, including in the September 28 final, should the teams advance that far.