IND vs PAK: Rameez Raja Targets India, Makes Baseless Allegations Against Match Referee Andy Pycroft

The high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 at Dubai did not just create buzz on the field but also stirred controversy off it. After the game, Team India players declined to shake hands with the Pakistani side, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to demand the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft. The ICC, however, rejected the request. Adding fuel to the fire, former PCB chairman Rameez Raja has now launched a scathing attack, making sensational claims against Pycroft.

Rameez Raja’s explosive comments

In a joint press conference with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi ahead of Pakistan’s clash with the UAE, Rameez Raja questioned Pycroft’s neutrality. He went as far as calling him “India’s favorite” and alleged that his officiating decisions seemed biased.

Raja said, “Interestingly, ICC match referee Andy Pycroft is a favorite of the Indian team. Whenever I host the toss, he is always present. We were just discussing the data, which shows he has officiated in India’s matches 90 times. I find this very strange. It should not be happening, yet he is repeatedly assigned to India’s games.”

The reality behind the claims

Contrary to Raja’s allegations, statistics paint a very different picture. Andy Pycroft has indeed officiated in a significant number of India’s matches — 124 across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. But he has also served as match referee in 102 games involving Pakistan. Clearly, his assignments are balanced, and the accusations of favoritism are unfounded.

This entire controversy, which began with a simple handshake incident, has now spiraled into an unnecessary debate, raising questions on Pakistan’s approach rather than on the ICC official.