‘After All This Drama, You Lost…’: Mohsin Naqvi’s PCB Brutally Bashed For Making Andy Pycroft A ‘Scapegoat’ | Cricket News

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been creating a ruckus in the ongoing Asia Cup, shifting the focus away from the game itself. Anguished over India’s handshake denial, the men in green vented out their frustration through unnecessary traits. They targeted the match referee, Andy Pycroft, demanding his removal for being biased. They threatened to boycott their next group-stage game against the UAE, which eventually kicked off after an hour delay. And now they are refraining from media by cancelling their presser ahead of the Super 4 game – a rematch with India.

Meanwhile, former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has defended Pycroft, lashing out at Pakistan for “creating a needless spectacle” over the post-match handshake controversy. On his YouTube show, Ashwin criticised Pakistan for unfairly singling out Pycroft after calling for his ouster from the tournament.

“Andy Pycroft actually saved everybody from seeing such a poor spectacle,” Ashwin said.

“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? You didn’t lose because we didn’t shake hands. Please go and find out what you can actually improve,” he added.

While the International Cricket Council (ICC) quashed PCB’s senseless demands, the governing body has appointed Andy Pycroft as the match referee for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s clash between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

“If no handshake was your problem with India, why were you looking for an answer to that problem in the UAE game? Why did you have to make Andy Pycroft the scapegoat? He has done nothing wrong.”

“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,” he added.

Ashwin further stated that Team India was following an organisational directive.

“Whether it’s a corporate office, a government firm, or a cricket team — when there’s an organisational directive, you follow it. Our players were clear: they were here to represent India, and they followed protocol. That’s our side of the story. The matter should end there.”

“You filed a complaint against India, and when the dust settles, you’re saying Pycroft apologised? If I were Andy Pycroft, you would be apologising to me. What would I even be apologising for? ‘I’m sorry that Suryakumar Yadav didn’t shake your hand’? Really,” he concluded.