NEW DELHI: Despite the PCB reportedly threatening to pull out of the Asia Cup if match referee Andy Pycroft was not removed from the panel of officials, the ICC dismissed their demand, leaving Pakistan uncertain about whether to play or withdraw from the tournament.

The entire episode stemmed from Indian players refusing to shake hands with their Pakistan counterparts, which prompted the PCB to demand the immediate removal of the match referee from the tournament.

After the match that India won by seven wickets, Suryakumar and his men did not exchange handshakes with their cross-border rivals as a mark of respect for the Pahalgam terror attack victims and their families.

The PCB placed the entire blame on Pycroft, accusing him of instructing their captain, Salman Ali Agha, not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav during the toss in their Asia Cup match on Sunday.

"The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup," Naqvi said on 'X'.

"Late last night, ICC had sent a reply to PCB stating that Pycroft won't be removed and their plea has been rejected," an ICC source told PTI.

Since PCB's demand has been turned down by ICC headed by India's Jay Shah, it would be interesting to see if they continue playing the tournament.

It is understood that PCB is trying to work out a respectable solution by which Pycroft doesn't officiate in their matches. One proposal given by the PCB is to have Richie Richardson stand in its match against the UAE on Wednesday but whether that would happen or not is the big question.

TimesofIndia.com has reported that it is highly unlikely for the PCB to withdraw from the Asia Cup, as the board is not in a position to risk any sanctions from the ICC.

"It is very unlikely that the PCB will pull out from the Asia Cup," a PCB source told TimesofIndia.com.

"If we do that, ICC led by Jay Shah will put heavy sanctions on the PCB, and this is something our board cannot afford. The financial situation post the Champions Trophy, where all the stadiums were renovated, is not good," the source added.

India have made it to the Super 4s following UAE's win over Oman on Monday. Meanwhile, Pakistan will play hosts the UAE on Wednesday in a must-win encounter. If they manage to beat UAE, Pakistan will again lock horns with India on Sunday.