'India's Permanent Fixer': Ramiz Raja Makes Explosive Statement Against Andy Pycroft After Asia Cup 2025 Controversy; Video

Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja slammed ICC referee Andy Pycroft over the handshake row during the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match on September 14. The comments from the former PCB chairman came hours after the PCB claimed Pycroft had apologised before Pakistan’s final Group A clash against the UAE. The Asia Cup match in Dubai proceeded in spite of the criticism and boycott requests from cricket fans and former players.

Speaking to reporters outside the PCB headquarters, Raja said, “Andy Pycroft is the favourite for Team India. He has officiated in 90 Indian games. I think he is a permanent fixer for them. This is blatant, one-sided, and it shouldn’t happen on a neutral platform.”

Controversial match referee “Andy Pycroft is a favourite of India. He has been the referee 90 times in India's matches” says Ramiz Raja pic.twitter.com/JdwGi54nJ5

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 17, 2025

IND Vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 Match: Will Suryakumar Yadav's Team Continue To Persist With No Handshake Policy Against Pakistan?

Did Pycroft apologise to PCB?

The PCB on Wednesday issued a strong statement over the Andy Pycroft matter. The video of Pycroft speaking to PCB officials behind closed doors also surfaced before the match.

Video of Andy Pycroft apologizing to the captain, team manager, and head coach has surfaced, with ICC General Manager Wasim Khan also present, before the match started. Apology made in the dressing room.#PakistanCricket #AsiaCup2025 #AndyPycroft

pic.twitter.com/dzXrS6YZE8

— Moazam Chaudhary (@Moazamch98) September 17, 2025

ICC Rejects Pakistan's Demand To Replace Andy Pycroft From Asia Cup 2025 After 'No-Handshake' Row During IND vs PAK Match: Report

The board in its statement stated, "The ICC's match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Andy Pycroft had barred the captains of India and Pakistan from shaking hands during their match.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board had strongly reacted to Andy Pycroft's actions. Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised. The ICC has expressed its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation that occurred during the September 14 match."

PCB has claimed Andy Pycroft apologized for the toss incident #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/vx5WD5kAa4

— Amol Karhadkar (@karhacter) September 17, 2025

However, a source told news agency PTI "The apology has only been tendered for the miscommunication and ICC will only conduct its investigation only when PCB furnish further evidence as to what was Pycroft's fault." The ICC made it clear that Pycroft was found 'not guilty' in the entire incident.