Following the fallout from the recent handshake controversy involving match referee Andy Pycroft, Pakistan has decided to boycott its final group match against the UAE in the Asia Cup 2025,according to reports from Pakistan’s Geo News.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has directed the Pakistan cricket team to remain at their hotel and not travel to the stadium. Players of Pakistan have been instructed to stay in their rooms, and their kits and luggage reportedly remain on the team bus. A crucial press conference is expected shortly to address the this situation. Today match which was scheduled to start at 8:00 PM IST (6:00 PM local time), now hangs in uncertainty. While the UAE team has already departed for the stadium.
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The decision follows the failed attempt of PCB to have Pycroft removed from officiating duties for the fixture.In spite of formal request of Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected to replace the veteran referee, standing firmly by its original appointment.
As per PCB, match referee Andy Pycroft subscribed to the diplomatic tension by advising Salman not to shake hands with the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and by preventing the customary exchange of team sheets before the match – a move the PCB deemed irregular and biased.
Pakistan cricket team leaves hotel late while regarding Asia Cup 2025 boycott, Pakistan vs UAE match delayed by one hour. Boycott comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding match referee Andy Pycroft,who officiated the match between India and Pakistan.
The revised begin time updated at the Dubai International Stadium against the UAE was 9pm IST. Chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi is understood to have met and discussed the controversy matter with previous chairs Najam sethi and Ramiz Raja, before deciding to send the boys on their way to the venue.
PCB spokesperson Amir Mir told “There is an online meeting going on. For now, the match has been delayed by an hour. The discussions are on and the chairman will address the media as and when there’s something,” Sources, additionally, indicate that the PCB has also demanded some action against Suryakumar Yadav for a ‘politically motivated’ statement.
