ICC sends strong rebuttal to PCB over ‘baseless’ complaints in handshake row

The ICC has issued a firm, six-point response to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s complaints from the India–Pakistan match, calling them baseless. The letter clarified that match referee Andy Pycroft followed directions from the event organisers on short notice, acted to preserve the toss protocol, and was not responsible for team- or tournament-specific gestures such as handshakes.

The backdrop was tense. Earlier Pakistan had blamed the referee for telling captains not to shake hands and not to exchange team sheets, then sought his removal. The ICC declined and said the PCB did not submit supporting statements or evidence with its report. Officials stressed that any grievance about the no‑handshake decision belongs with the tournament organisers, not the referee.

ICC Official Response to PCB

The governing body said it assessed the PCB’s report as filed and received no corroborating material with it. It found “no case to answer” for the referee, who acted on directions from the venue manager “minutes before the toss.” The letter added that his priority was to protect the sanctity of the toss and avoid “potential embarrassment,” and reiterated that referees do not enforce off‑field protocols; that duty lies with organisers and team managers.

Why the match was delayed

Hours after learning Pycroft would remain on duty, Pakistan delayed leaving their hotel for a must‑win game, pushing the start time back by about an hour. The standoff ended when it was confirmed the referee would continue as appointed and the match went ahead. The episode highlighted the need for clear, written pre‑match and post‑match procedures to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

• Referee stays: The ICC has stood by its appointment and its process.

• Take it up with organisers: Any dispute about gestures or protocols must be addressed to the event authority that set them.

• Evidence matters: Future complaints will likely require statements and documentation at the time of filing.

Likely next steps

Tournament officials will pre‑brief both teams for future fixtures on toss conduct, team‑sheet exchange, movement off the field, and presentation routines. That reduces flashpoints and keeps focus on cricket. Teams can still express their positions through formal channels, but on‑day operations will follow pre‑agreed scripts to avoid last‑minute surprises.