The dominant view within the ICC is that Pycroft had only a minimal role in the handshake episode, and that all he may have done was convey a message to the Pakistan captain to avoid the public embarrassment of one captain refusing to shake hands with the other at the toss.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to issue an official response to the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) request for a change of match referee. However, indications strongly suggest that the governing body is unlikely to accede to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi's demand to replace Andy Pycroft from the panel of match referees for the Asia Cup.
At the time of writing, it remained unclear whether the ICC had formally responded to Naqvi's mail. However, the prevailing impression is that there are no sufficient grounds to accede to the PCB's request. Should a response not yet have been issued, it is expected shortly.
The dominant view within the ICC is that Pycroft had only a minimal role in the handshake episode, and that all he may have done was convey a message to the Pakistan captain to avoid the public embarrassment of one captain refusing to shake hands with the other at the toss.
The general view is that it would set a wrong precedent to change a match official at the demand of one member when, prima facie, he had no serious role in the controversy that arose after Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistan counterparts following an Asia Cup league fixture on Sunday (September 14) night at the Dubai International Stadium.
The PCB is upset with the Indian players' reaction, but shaking hands with the opposition before or after a match is, clearly, not mandatory, even under the MCC manual. The same point may be explained to the PCB by the world body in its response.
The latest turn of events could lead to some sort of uncertainty over the Asia Cup as Pakistan is believed to have threatened to not play their match against the UAE if their demand is not upheld. Pycroft, incidentally, is the match official for the game on September 17.
The PCB said the Indian players' refusal to shake hands with Pakistan players is a violation of the player code of conduct. "The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup," Naqvi, who is the chairman of the PCB, said in a social media post on Monday.
But the demand of Naqvi, who also happens to be the president of Asian Cricket Council (ACC), clearly has not cut much teeth. The appointment of match officials is done by the ICC, in association with the local body, in this case the ACC, but it is unlikely that the world body will pay much attention to the demand.
No mail from PCB to MCC
Meanwhile, for all the public display of fire and brimstone, the PCB has not written to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of the laws of the game. The PCB has raised the Spirit of Cricket bogey in its demand but there has apparently not been a formal communication to the MCC.
In the MCC's Spirit of Cricket manual, it is clear that handshakes are not mandatory although they are surely encouraged. The MCC preamble asks the players to show respect and thank the officials and opposition at the end of a match irrespective of the result. But it is only a suggestion, not part of cricket's laws.
The following are some points in Spirit of Cricket chapter:
- Respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket.
- Respect your captain, team-mates, opponents and the authority of the umpires.
- Play hard and play fair.
- Accept the umpire's decision.
- Create a positive atmosphere by your own conduct, and encourage others to do likewise.
- Show self-discipline, even when things go against you.
- Congratulate the opposition on their successes, and enjoy those of your own team.
- Thank the officials and your opposition at the end of the match, whatever the result.
- Cricket is an exciting game that encourages leadership, friendship and teamwork, which brings together people from different nationalities, cultures and religions, especially when played within the Spirit of Cricket.
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