The heat around the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 is getting bigger, and all eyes are now on the India vs Pakistan clash on September 21 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. Amidst the excitement, a storm has been brewing over the appointment of the match referee.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Zimbabwean official Andy Pycroft will be in charge of the blockbuster India vs Pakistan game, putting an end to all the noise and doubts raised in the wake of the “no-handshake” controversy in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.
The ICC has already carried out an inquiry and made it clear that Andy Pycroft’s name is clean. The governing body has strongly stood its ground, saying that the integrity of a referee cannot be questioned once he has been cleared.
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By sticking with Pycroft for the India vs Pakistan clash, the ICC has sent a strong message that no team or board can put pressure on its officials. A source close to the developments in Dubai was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying, “The integrity and credibility of a match official should never be questioned once a fair inquiry has exonerated him.”
Andy Pycroft to officiate Dubai games, Richie Richardson in charge of Abu Dhabi
Well, Andy Pycroft will not just officiate the India vs Pakistan Super Four clash at the Asia Cup 2025. The match referee has been given a full plate of games in Dubai.
He will be the referee for the Sri Lanka–Bangladesh match on September 20, the India–Bangladesh clash on September 24, and Pakistan’s Super Four match against Bangladesh on September 25.
On the other hand, West Indian legend Richie Richardson will take charge of the Abu Dhabi matches in the ongoing continental tournament, including Pakistan vs Sri Lanka on September 23.
The system is simple: Pycroft will continue to officiate the matches in Dubai, and Richardson will manage the games in Abu Dhabi.
The match officials for the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 will be decided later, as the ICC usually picks referees for the big knockout games based on their performance during the event.
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Pakistan cancels press meet again after ICC backs Andy Pycroft
But ICC’s decision to keep Pycroft for the India vs Pakistan game has not gone down well with PCB. The Pakistan cricket team suddenly cancelled its pre-match media conference, leaving fans and reporters stunned.
A similar move was made before their last league match against the UAE on September 17, which ended in chaos, arguments, and even a late start to the game.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and former captain Ramiz Raja has recently raised questions over Pycroft’s record. Raja claimed that the Zimbabwe match referee has mostly officiated India’s matches, but the numbers show a different story.
Pycroft has been part of more than 530 international games across formats, including over 120 involving India, more than 110 with England, and over 100 with Pakistan. His long and vast experience makes him one of the most respected referees in the game.
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