India-Pakistan Match: Pycroft is not a schoolteacher, or principal, says Ashwin

India-Pakistan match: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has extended his support for match referee Andy Pycroft amid the latest handshake controversy between India and Pakistan's players after the match. He added that the Zimbabwean official is not a school teacher and was only performing his role well to avoid unnecessary drama.

It is to be noted here that Pycroft was the match referee last Sunday when Indian players, as a policy decision, avoided hand shake with Pakistani players after the Asia Cup match. Following which Pycroft was dragged into the controversy after Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav skipped hand shake with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during the toss. After which Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent two emails to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Handshake Controversy

Following the handshake controversy, they first requested Pycroft's removal from the tournament and then demanded to bar him from their matches. However, both the request were rejected by the ICC. Later, Ashwin through his social media said that Andy Pycroft actually saved everyone from witnessing a grotesque situation. India had already informed the match referee that this was our decision and we would abide by it. After causing so much drama, you (Pakistan) lost the match, so what are you complaining about?

Pycroft is not a school teacher

He stated, "He's not a school teacher. He's not a principal. He couldn't go and tell Surya to come shake hands. That's not his job. What's Pycroft's fault?" The ICC rejected the PCB's claim that Pycroft violated the spirit of the game. The ICC clarified that it was merely quoting what the venue manager of the Asian Cricket Council had said.

Ashwin's Statement

Ashwin said that the Indian players were simply following their board's instructions and that the information given to Pycroft was not vague. He also strongly objected to Pakistan's demand for an apology. He said, "If I were Andy Pycroft, you would apologize to me. What would I apologize for?"