Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has sparked controversy by accusing ICC match referee Andy Pycroft of favoring the Indian Cricket team. The accusation arose after an India vs. Pakistan match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where Indian players reportedly did not shake hands with the Pakistani side. The PCB was reportedly upset and alleged that Pycroft instructed Salman Agha not to shake hands with Suryakumar Yadav at the toss. Before the match against UAE, the PCB tried to replace Pycroft. The match was delayed by an hour, with urgent discussions between Naqvi, Ramiz Raja, and Najam Sethi regarding the implications of a potential boycott. Ramiz Raja strongly criticized Pycroft, labeling him a “permanent fixer” for India, alleging he consistently showed bias. Raja said it was a good thing that the team didn’t make an emotional decision to boycott the game, and he believes that the cricket team should do their talking on the field. Raja also criticized the post-match presentation by Suryakumar Yadav. Raja hopes cricket won’t become politicized and wants the team to perform better. Raja stated that Andy Pycroft is often the favorite for Team India, suggesting a pattern of favoritism, and highlighted his frequent officiating in Indian matches.
