Is Pakistan Boycotting match against UAE in ongoing Asia Cup 2025?
The recent reports have claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board has sent another letter to the International Cricket Council, stretching the handshake controversy before the clash against UAE as they threatened to withdraw from the competition.
The handshake controversy in the Asia Cup 2025 has been stretched for three days post Pakistan’s seven-wicket defeat to India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Their cricket board initially threatened to withdraw from the competition with a demand to the ICC to remove the match referee, Andy Prycroft, from the rest of the tournament.
But once ICC dismissed the request, the PCB took a U-turn and reignited its protest against Pycroft, sending a second letter late night on September 16, reiterating its demand for the referee’s removal from officiating Pakistan’s remaining encounters of the ongoing competition. In that case, West Indies’ Richie Richardson is expected to officiate all of the game of the Salman Ali Agha-led side.
With victories against Oman for both Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, they are scheduled to lock horns on September 17 in Dubai. It will be a do-or-die clash for both sides, with the winner joining India, earning the tickets for the Super 4 stage of the event. If Pakistan ends up boycotting the game, the Muhammed Waseem-led side will automatically qualify for the next stage.
Furious Pakistan consider withdrawing from UAE clash in Asia Cup 2025 for handshake controversy
The beginning of the incident was at the toss of the India vs Pakistan game when Suryakumar Yadav didn’t shake hands with Salman Agha. It has been reported that Pycroft requested the latter to accept the stance. Later, after nailing the winning six, Sky went off the field with his partner, Shivam Dube, while the other Indian members went upstairs and locked themselves in the dressing room.
Sky, during the match presentation ceremony, dedicated the victory to the Pahalgam victims and the Armed Forces of the country. “We stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all.” The Indian captain addressed the presentation.
In protest of India’s stance, PCB didn’t send their captain to the presentation, while only Shaheen Afridi came to collect his award. Even on the eve of their UAE clash, Pakistan didn’t hold any press conference despite going through their practice session at the ICC Academy.
Tags:
