Pakistan were put in to bat in their must-win Asia Cup 2025 group match against the UAE on Wednesday, after the start in Dubai was delayed by their protest against the ICC’s refusal to replace match referee Andy Pycroft. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem won the toss and elected to bowl in the presence of match referee Andy Pycroft and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan had threatened to boycott the match if match referee Andy Pycroft was not removed, but the ‘crisis’ was solved hours before their match against the UAE.
"This crisis was going on since the match against India. We had objection on Pycroft’s conduct. This matter was only solved after Pycroft apologised over miscommunication at the toss," PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi said, referring to the handshake row that has snowballed into a major controversy at the Asia Cup.
Play began an hour late following behind-the-scenes negotiations, with the match, originally scheduled for 8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM local time), eventually starting at 9:00 PM IST (7:30 PM local time). Both Pakistan and the UAE head into today’s group clash in Dubai in a must-win situation. Having eased past Oman but suffered heavy defeats to India, the fixture has effectively turned into a knockout: the winner will book a place in the Super Four alongside India, while the loser will bow out of the tournament.
Pakistan claimed that match referee Andy Pycroft, who officiated Wednesday's game, apologised for a 'miscommunication.' However, ICC sources told India Today that he did not apologise for the handshake incident
Naqvi had earlier announced on X that the Pakistan team had been instructed to proceed to the stadium. "We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow," Naqvi posted.
Meanwhile, the UAE team had already arrived at the stadium. Earlier, PCB advisor Amir Mir had confirmed in a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium that the match would be delayed amid ongoing deliberations. "The consultation process is underway. The PCB chairman is holding discussions with former PCB chiefs Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi," Mir said. He added that the toss could now take place at 7:30 PM PST, pending the outcome of negotiations. "We are trying to get positive news. After consultations, Mohsin Naqvi will announce the decision," Mir noted.
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The standoff had led to Pakistan's players remaining at their hotel instead of leaving for the stadium as planned. Sources revealed that the team was originally scheduled to depart at 5:00 PM PST but were instructed to stay back, with less than two hours left before the scheduled start time.
PCB MADE TWO DEMANDS
In a related development, Samaa Sports reports that the PCB has lodged two formal demands with the International Cricket Council (ICC), further intensifying tensions around the tournament. The first demand calls for the immediate removal of Andy Pycroft from officiating duties, citing a series of recent decisions that the PCB claims reflect a lack of impartiality.
The second demand targets Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, whom the PCB accuses of making politically charged remarks. The Board has urged the ICC to take disciplinary action, arguing that Yadav's comments violate the spirit of the game and contravene the ICC's code of conduct. As of now, the ICC has not issued an official response.
Meanwhile, members of the Pakistan national cricket team were seen waiting in the hotel lobby, their luggage still loaded onto the team bus. The players remain on standby, awaiting final instructions from the PCB, as confusion continues to cloud the remainder of their Asia Cup campaign.
The decision follows the PCB's failed attempt to have Pycroft removed from officiating duties for the fixture. Despite Pakistan's formal request, the International Cricket Council (ICC) declined to replace the veteran referee, standing firmly by its original appointment.
The controversy stems from the previous match between Pakistan and India, where tensions flared at the end of play. Indian players, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, reportedly refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. In protest, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha declined to attend the post-match presentation ceremony.
According to the PCB, match referee Andy Pycroft contributed to the diplomatic tension by advising Salman not to shake hands with the Indian captain and by preventing the customary exchange of team sheets before the match – a move the PCB deemed irregular and biased.
On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav defended his team's conduct, stating that the decision to forgo handshakes was made in solidarity with victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam—attributed by Indian authorities to Pakistan-based terrorists– and in support of the Indian Armed Forces' subsequent Operation Sindoor.
In response, the PCB labelled the Indian players' behaviour as "unsporting" and accused Pycroft of partisanship. This led to Pakistan threatening to pull out of their final group match unless Pycroft was replaced—a demand the ICC ultimately rejected.
The boycott could have had significant ramifications. Pakistan risk losing up to USD 16 million in revenue and may face disciplinary action. The move also raises serious questions regarding the optics of the PCB's decision-making, particularly as the board is currently chaired by Mohsin Naqvi - who also serves as the head of the Asian Cricket Council.
In a letter addressed to the ICC, the PCB stated: "The match referee failed to discharge his responsibility: to ensure that respect was extended and maintained amongst the captains as well as between the two competing sides; and to create a positive atmosphere by his conduct and encourage the captains and participating teams to do likewise."
"In fact, the match referee's instructions to the two team captains were entirely directed towards achieving the opposite result. This misconduct violates Article 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Match Officials, which specifically makes it an offence for the Match Referee to conduct himself in a manner, which is contrary to the spirit of game and violates the MCC Laws."
"Given the gravity, political nature/background, and far-reaching consequences and repercussions, the misconduct has also caused disrepute to the game."
As per article 2.1.1 of ICC's Code of Conduct, "spirit of the game may be defined by reference to the Preamble to the Laws of Cricket and involves respect for, amongst others (a) the role of the umpires and (b) the game and its traditional values."
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