Referee's apology affirms Pakistan's integrity following Asia Cup controversy, as stated by Naqvi
In a statement made in Lahore, Pakistan, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, announced that ICC match referee Andy Pycroft had apologized to the Pakistan cricket team for refusing a handshake to the Pakistani players before the recent match against India.
The row between the PCB and Pycroft erupted over an alleged stoppage of a customary handshake during the toss. This incident sparked protests and calls for Pycroft's removal.
Mohsin Naqvi consulted former chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja regarding the statement. Both Sethi and Raja emphasized that "politics must not enter sport." Raja, in his statement, did not accuse Pycroft of fixing matches, but questioned his bias towards India.
The prime minister and senior officials also supported the PCB's position, according to Mohsin Naqvi. Raja described the outcome as "a victory for Pakistan."
The PCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to investigate alleged violations during the Sept. 14 match against India. Pycroft admitted that a pre-match handshake controversy "should not have happened." He later called the incident a "miscommunication."
A video was released by the cricket board, capturing the moment of Pycroft's apology. Mohsin Naqvi stated that cricket and politics should not mix. Raja also stressed that cricket should remain "cricket, not a political platform."
Following Pycroft's apology, the Pakistan-UAE Asia Cup clash is scheduled to take place as planned. The incident seems to have been resolved, providing a positive outlook for the upcoming matches.
