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ICC rejects PCB demand to remove Asia Cup match referee, claims Indian media

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ICC rejects PCB demand to remove Asia Cup match referee, claims Indian media


Ais Cup 2025 match referee Andy Pycroft. — AFP
  • PCB chairman to consult senior officials on next steps.
  • ICC may replace Pycroft with Richardson for future matches.
  • Pakistan suspends director for delay in forwarding complaint.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup, Indian media reported on Tuesday.

According to the reports, the ICC formally informed the PCB of its decision last night, dismissing Pakistan’s stance that Pycroft had acted at the behest of the Indian team.

The PCB had filed an official complaint with the ICC, accusing Pycroft of violating the “Spirit of Cricket” by allegedly asking the Pakistan and India captains not to shake hands at the toss before their Asia Cup 2025 fixture on Sunday.

The complaint also referred to the absence of the customary handshake between the two sides after the match.

There are reports of a possibility of ICC match referee Richard Richardson being appointed as the match referee for Pakistan’s upcoming Asia Cup fixtures, though no official confirmation has been made.

Sources earlier said Pakistan was considering withdrawing from the tournament if its demand was not met, describing the next few hours as crucial for future deliberations.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to consult senior government officials in Lahore later today to discuss the board’s next course of action.

The controversy arose after Pakistan and India captains avoided a handshake at the toss during their September 14 Asia Cup 2025 fixture, an omission reportedly directed by match referee Pycroft.

The same was repeated towards the end of the match, when the players of the opposing teams shook hands as per cricketing tradition, where the Indian team skipped the customary post-match handshake.

While the Indian players congratulated each other at the dugout after the match, they refrained from acknowledging or shaking hands with the Pakistani team.

Pakistan’s players lined up expecting the customary handshake, only to see the Indian team retreat and close the dressing room doors.

India’s victorious captain, Suryakumar, defended his team’s decision not to shake hands with the Pakistan players, saying that it was taken in alignment with their government and cricket board.

“We are aligned with the government and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Some things are above sportsmanship. Is it really sportsmanship if you don’t even shake hands with the opposing team? That was our answer,” he said.

The move prompted a strong reaction from the cricketing fraternity as well as Mohsin Naqvi, who heads both the PCB and is also the serving head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Not only did Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, in protest, refused to attend the post-match presentation ceremony, breaking from broadcast norms where captains usually share their thoughts, the PCB has filed a formal complaint with the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), calling for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 — for reportedly instructing the omission of the customary handshake.

Apart from taking up the matter with the ICC, the PCB has also come down hard on its own Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, and has suspended him over failure to promptly forward an official letter to the ICC concerning the Asia Cup handshake controversy.

The Sunday’s match, the first ever since the two countries were involved in an armed conflict triggered by India’s cross-border attack, followed by Pakistan’s retaliation and launch of “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”.

The hostilities left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone, and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire was eventually reached.

The neighbours have not met on either side’s soil in a bilateral series since 2012 and only play each other in international tournaments on neutral ground as part of a compromise deal. 





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Lamar Jackson, the point spread and the perils of NFL injury reporting

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The NFL’s $100,000 fine of the Ravens came amid a league emphasis on transparency when it comes to reporting injuries in the wake of an NBA gambling scandal.



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Transfer rumors, news: Man United eye loan deal for Real Madrid’s Endrick

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Transfer rumors, news: Man United eye loan deal for Real Madrid’s Endrick


Real Madrid‘s Endrick is a loan target for Premier League rivals Manchester United and Aston Villa, while Barcelona need Marcus Rashford to lower his wage demands to make his stay at Camp Nou permanent. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

Amorim expects Man Utd transfer requests in Jan.
Madrid’s Alonso on Vini Jr. Clásico furore: ‘Subject closed’
Liverpool’s Arne Slot refuses to give update on contract talks

TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United are facing competition from Aston Villa in the race for Real Madrid striker Endrick, according to the Daily Star. Villa have reportedly expressed their interest in a potential January move for the 19-year-old, who is set to look for a switch away from the Bernabéu after failing to establish himself as a regular under manager Xabi Alonso. The Brazil international got his first minutes of playing time this season as a 79th-minute substitute in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Valencia (stream a replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.). Endrick is on the radar of several clubs in Europe, with sources telling ESPN that Ligue 1 side Lyon are leading the chase, but United would be willing to explore a six-month loan deal for him when the transfer window opens.

– Talks are ongoing between Barcelona and the representatives of on-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford regarding his demands if they decide to sign him permanently, Diario Sport reports. The reigning LaLiga champions would need the 28-year-old to lower the £325,000-per-week salary he picks up at Old Trafford for a deal to become possible, and they would be willing to hand him a longer-term deal in exchange. Rashford has found bright form for Barça, having directly contributed to 10 goals in 13 matches across all competitions.

– A move for United States and Coventry City forward Haji Wright is being prepared by Leeds United, according to Football Insider. The Premier League side are reportedly monitoring the 27-year-old’s situation, as one of their potential options amid plans to strengthen their forward line. It is expected that the Sky Blues would be reluctant to part ways with Wright during the middle of the season, which could make a move more feasible in the summer rather than in January. Wright scored both goals for the U.S. team last month during its 2-1 international friendly win over Australia.

Napoli are lining up an approach for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, reports the Daily Mirror. It is believed that the Serie A champions want to sign the 20-year-old on an initial loan deal in January, with a clause that would provide them the opportunity to land him permanently in the summer. Both Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay are said to have supported the idea of a move for Mainoo, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is willing to meet his £35,000-per-week salary in full. Mainoo remains interested in a switch away from Old Trafford in January amid hopes of playing regularly to enhance his chances of being selected in the England squad for the FIFA World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, according to Football Insider. Spurs are reported to be keen to strengthen their midfield in the next transfer window, and the 28-year-old has caught their attention following several impressive performances in Serie A. However, with Kevin De Bruyne currently injured, the Azzurri are expected to be unwilling to part ways with McTominay in January unless they receive a significant offer for his signature.

EXPERT TAKE

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1:57

Why a loan away from Real Madrid is a ‘fantastic opportunity’ for Endrick

Shaka Hislop examines Endrick’s potential loan move to Lyon from Real Madrid.

OTHER RUMORS

– Manchester United are set to intensify their efforts to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson amid hopes of beating Chelsea and Manchester City to his signature. (CaughtOffside)

– AC Milan and Inter Milan are keeping close tabs on Udinese center-back Oumar Solet. (Nicolò Schira)

– Manchester United are considering a “no loans policy” in the next transfer window, which could impact whether striker Joshua Zirkzee is able to secure a short term move away from Old Trafford. (TEAMtalk)

– Inter Milan are prioritizing the signing of a midfielder in January, and they are “ready” to make an approach for Genoa’s Morten Frendrup. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Juventus are not interested in a move for Al-Duhail midfielder Marco Verratti despite reports. (Tuttosport)

– Several Premier League teams are monitoring the situation of Palmeiras forward Vitor Roque. (Diario Sport)

– Attacking midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers is closing in on reaching an agreement over a new contract with AC Milan. (Nicolò Schira)

– Coventry City are exploring a move for free agent striker Patrick Bamford, who recently left Leeds. (Football Insider)



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Arteta: Arsenal 1st-half display ‘one of the best’

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Arteta: Arsenal 1st-half display ‘one of the best’


Mikel Arteta said his side’s first-half display in a comfortable 2-0 win at Burnley was “one of the best we have played” as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice struck first half goals as the Gunners racked up a ninth straight win all competitions and fifth in the top flight.

Their half-time lead would have been more commanding but for two saves from goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, who twice denied Bukayo Saka.

Arteta said: “We started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half is one of the best that we’ve played, scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing.

“And that was a platform, because in the second half we dropped the standards, especially with the ball, and with our intentions to play more forward. But again, defensively, we were exceptional.”

Burnley failed to lay a glove on the Londoners, with their first effort on goal coming through Florentino Luis’ header in the 73rd minute before substitute Marcus Edwards’ free kick hit a post deep in stoppage time.

Gyökeres, who struck the opener from a corner as Arteta’s side also extended their league-leading set-piece goals tally this season, excluding penalties, to 12, was singled out by the Spaniard for special praise.

But the Sweden striker could be doubtful for Tuesday’s Champions League game in Prague after being replaced at half-time due to a muscle strain.

Arteta added: “I think it was one of the best games that he’s played [for us].

“Overall, his performance was exceptional, apart from the goal, and we had to take him off because he was feeling a little niggle, muscular.

“His high press, his positioning and his touches, his threading in behind, the way he linked play, the way he gets us from this situation to transition.

“He was in a really good moment. It’s a shame that he felt something.”

Burnley remain five points clear of the bottom three after their fifth league defeat of the season and boss Scott Parker felt the first goal was decisive.

Parker said: “We understood what we were up against, a top, top team with huge quality, and I thought we started the game really well.

“The [first] goal took the wind out of us a little bit in terms of the set-play goal, and we had worked a lot this week on that. But I think it took the edge off us a little bit.”

Parker said it was “so hard” to defend the Gunners at set-pieces, with Rice’s deliveries “on the money” and the likes of Gabriel a huge physical threat.

“If you don’t have those players, you probably don’t score as many as what Arsenal are scoring,” Parker added.

“You’ve got a delivery-taker that every single time you ask for it to be put back post, and the runs will be there, it goes back post.

“You ask it to be put front post, and the runs are there, and it gets put there. You’ve then also got the other element, the timing of the runs and the physicality of those runs.”



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