Goa, Sept. 18 -- ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta, who took charge in July 2025, played a decisive role in turning down Pakistan's attempt to have match referee Andy Pycroft removed from the Asia Cup.

The controversy began after the India-Pakistan clash in Dubai when PCB accused Pycroft of preventing the customary handshake between the two teams. Pakistan lodged a formal protest, demanding Richie Richardson replace him as referee for their remaining games.

Led by Gupta, the ICC dismissed the request, asserting there was "no valid reason" to sideline Pycroft. An internal review found the Zimbabwean official had acted within the rules and Code of Conduct. Despite internal suggestions to compromise by assigning a different referee for Pakistan's UAE m...