The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended International Cricket Director Usman Wahla for delaying the country’s complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC) against the conduct of the Indian team and match referee Andy Pycroft during the Asia Cup clash between Pakistan and India.
According to reports, the suspension came after Wahla failed to act promptly when instructed to write a letter to the ICC over the controversy that unfolded during the high-profile match.
The action comes after referee Pycroft told Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha that there would be no handshake with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the time of the toss. Before that, he also instructed Pakistan’s media manager not to record the moment.
Following the match, Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema raised objections with tournament director Andrew Russell. According to reports, Russell first said the instructions came from the Indian board and later claimed they had originated from the Indian government.
With there also being no handshake after the match, Pakistan has taken a firm stand and warned the ICC that the team would not play further matches if Pycroft remains the referee. The PCB has written a letter to the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), accusing Pycroft of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct and violating the MCC Spirit of Cricket.
“The referee’s conduct went against the spirit of the game and MCC laws. The PCB believes this is a serious breach,” the letter stated.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has also confirmed that a formal complaint had been filed. “We have lodged a complaint with the ICC over his violation of the ICC Code of Conduct and demanded his immediate removal from the Asia Cup,” he said.
The letter maintained that Pycroft’s actions undermined the Spirit of Cricket and accused him of failing to fulfill his responsibilities as match referee.