**Ramiz Raja Slams Match Referee Andy Pycroft Over Bias Allegations**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Sep 18, 2025, 01:04 PM*
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has publicly accused International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Andy Pycroft of exhibiting bias in favor of India. This controversy erupted following a recent handshake incident during the Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai.
### The Handshake Controversy
The PCB claimed that Pycroft directly prevented Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Agha from shaking hands after their intense encounter. The incident was later described by Pycroft as a mere “miscommunication.”
### Rising Tensions
The situation escalated when Pakistan’s players refused to leave their hotel in Dubai ahead of a crucial match against the UAE on Wednesday. They demanded Pycroft’s removal following the fallout from the heated India-Pakistan clash. Although the players eventually got clearance to participate, their refusal caused a one-hour delay to the game and led the PCB to cancel a scheduled pre-match press conference.
### Raja Questions ICC Neutrality
Speaking at a joint press conference with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Ramiz Raja openly criticized Pycroft’s officiating record. “What’s interesting is, Andy Pycroft is a favorite [for the Indians]. Whenever I host tosses, he’s always a permanent fixture over there,” Raja said.
He further highlighted statistics indicating Pycroft has officiated over 90 matches involving India, raising suspicions about the ICC’s neutrality in his appointments.
### Official Response and Apology
The PCB confirmed that Pycroft apologized to the Pakistani team management for stopping the captains from shaking hands at the toss on September 14 in Dubai. However, an ICC source clarified that the apology pertained only to the “miscommunication” and not to the handshake incident itself.
Sources suggest this confusion arose because both captains skipped the customary handshake, adding to the tension.
### ICC Investigation Underway
The PCB stated that the ICC is set to investigate the complaint lodged against Pycroft, a former Zimbabwe cricketer who has officiated in over 200 matches since joining the ICC Elite Panel.
“The ICC has expressed its readiness to investigate the violation of the Code of Conduct during the match on September 14,” the PCB said.
Despite the controversy, Pycroft was present and officiated during Pakistan’s subsequent match against the UAE at Dubai International Stadium.
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*Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/andy-pycroft-is-india-s-favourite-ramiz-raja-blasts-icc-referee/story
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