Pycroft saved Pakistan from a poor spectacle, Ashwin says on handshake row
Andy Pycroft was the match referee in the Asia Cup match on September 14 when India informed of their wish not to shake hands with Pakistan players.
New Delhi: Instead of demanding his removal, Pakistan should be thankful to Andy Pycroft for his role in avoiding a poor spectacle during the handshake row, believes former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Pycroft was the match referee in the Asia Cup match on September 14 when India informed of their wish not to shake hands with Pakistan players to offer solidarity to Armed Forces.
The Pakistan Cricket Board first demanded Pycroft's removal from the tournament and then wanted him excluded from their games, which the International Cricket Council outrightly rejected.
"Andy Pycroft actually saved everybody from seeing such a poor spectacle. India informed the match referee in advance — this is our decision, and we will follow it. That’s it. After all this drama, you lost the match. So what are you complaining about?” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat'.
"He is not a schoolteacher. He’s not a principal. He can’t go and bring Surya and say, ‘Come shake hands’. That’s not his job. What exactly is Pycroft’s fault here?”
'Regret'
The PCB's claimed Pycroft violated the game's spirit but the ICC said he only conveyed what he was informed of Asian Cricket Council's venue manager, shortly before the start of the match.
Pycroft spoke to Pakistn skipper Salman Ali Agha, head coach Mike Hesson and manager Naveed Akram Cheema in a meeting later where he "regretted the miscommunication".
Pycroft merely relayed what was informed to him and the Indians were following directives from their Board, said Ashwin.
"If I were Andy Pycroft, you are apologising to me. What would I even be apologising for? ‘I’m sorry that Suryakumar Yadav didn’t shake your hand’? Really?” the 39-year-old said.
In a statement, the ICC also rubbished Pakistan's claims of Pycroft apologising for the episode, and accused Pakistan of violating ‘Players and Match Officials Area’ protocols, which they have been denied.
Pycroft will be the match referee for the crunch India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Super 4s game on Sunday.