![Ramiz Raja drags India into Any Pycroft controversy [Source: @CallMeSheri1_, @ICC/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1758171401465_Salman_Agha_Pakistan_UAE_Asia_Cup_2025.jpg?type=hq)
Ramiz Raja drags India into Any Pycroft controversy [Source: @CallMeSheri1_, @ICC/X.com]
The Asia Cup 2025 has been full of drama, but things took an even bigger turn on Wednesday when former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja launched a stunning attack on ICC match referee Andy Pycroft. Raja accused Pycroft of being biased towards India, even going as far as to call him India’s “permanent fixer”.
Pakistan defied logic and reasoning on September 17 when they refused to arrive at the Dubai International Stadium to compete against the UAE for their Asia Cup 2025 fixture until match referee Andy Pycroft was banned.
The issue stemmed from Pycroft allegedly barring Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistani captain Salman Agha from shaking hands on September 14.
Ramiz Raja Claims ‘Victory’ For Pakistan In Andy Pycroft Saga
After an hour’s delay, the men in green did turn up at the venue, only to find Andy Pycroft officiating the match. Later, PCB claimed that the referee apologised for the incident, citing miscommunication.
Moreover, in Lahore, ex-PCB chairman Ramiz Raza, along with sitting chairman Mohsin Naqvi, held a press conference to reveal their side of the story.
Raja told reporters outside the PCB headquarters that Pycroft has officiated in 90 Indian matches and therefore could not be considered neutral.
"I have always seen that Andy Pycroft is the favourite for Team India. I think he is a permanent fixer over there when it comes to the Indian team. He has officiated in 90 Indian games. This is blatant, this is one-sided and it shouldn't happen like that. This is a neutral platform. But anyway, I just hope better sense prevails," Raja said as quoted by TOI.
He also expressed anger at Suryakumar Yadav’s post-match comments, where the India captain dedicated the win to the armed forces. Raja said politics should not enter cricket, and that such statements only add fuel to the fire.
"My biggest objection was what was said in the post-match presentation (by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav). That editorial was the critical point. If the apology has come, then it's good. If cricket turns into a political ground, then nothing can be achieved," he added.
Raja Supports Pakistan’s ‘No Boycott’ Call
Pakistan took a complete U-turn in a matter of minutes after their threat to boycott the Asia Cup 2025 went horribly wrong. ICC rejected their request to take action against Andy Pycroft twice, forcing them to save face.
However, once again, Pakistan twisted the narrative. Ramiz Raja admitted he was glad his team did not go ahead with their boycott threat, saying it would have hurt their own cricket.
"It is a win for us. It was a critical situation. Emotions were running high. I am happy that we didn't take an emotional decision. Our cricket would have been damaged that we gone with the boycott decision. I have always believed this, that all the talking needs to be done by our cricket team. The frustration should be shown on the field and it should inspire us to do better."
Meanwhile, the men in green beat the UAE by 41 runs and qualified for the Super Four stage, where they’ll meet India again on September 21.
