Divya Delhi: After a heated row with the ICC, Pakistan agreed to play the UAE in Asia Cup 2025. It took an hour to resolve a dispute over match referee Andy Pycroft, who officiated despite Pakistan Cricket Board objections.ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta confirmed Pycroft's retention in a conference call with PCB chairman and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi. Since he obeyed ICC rules, the Zimbabwean official could not be fired.In the high-voltage India vs. Pakistan match , the PCB chastised Pycroft for blocking Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha from shaking hands with Suryakumar Yadav and exchanging team sheets during the toss. These activities violated the ICC Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket, according to the PCB.An ICC insider told NDTV the backstory:Initial Complaint . Pycroft was officially charged by the PCB for behavior offenses, including the toss.Pycroft relayed tournament officials' throw order instructions, according to a short ICC review. The ICC told the PCB there was no problem.Despite ICC findings, PCB and ACC demanded Pycroft's replacement. ICC said there was no reason to remove him.