India, Sept. 18 -- In the wake of a heated standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), it was ICC's newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Sanjog Gupta, who reportedly led the negotiations that ultimately blocked Pakistan's attempt to have match referee Andy Pycroft removed from officiating its matches in the ongoing Asia Cup.

The PCB had alleged misconduct on the part of Pycroft during the high-voltage Group A clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai on September 14. The controversy erupted after Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha following the match - a move he later described as a mark of respect for victims of the Pahalgam ...