NEW DELHI: The turmoil surrounding Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025 deepened further on Tuesday as they cancelled their scheduled pre-match press conference ahead of their crucial clash against United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.The move came just a day after Pakistan threatened to pull out of the tournament if match referee Andy Pycroft was not removed.Pakistan had demanded Pycroft’s ouster, accusing him of failing to act on their complaint against India following the Indian players’ decision to skip the customary handshake after their match in Dubai on Sunday.However, as reported by TimesofIndia.com, it is highly unlikely that the Pakistan Cricket Board will actually pull out of the ongoing tournament.Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), confirmed that Pakistan had lodged an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). They accused Pycroft of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct and ignoring the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) laws relating to the spirit of cricket. However, the ICC rejected Pakistan’s demand.
The handshake controversy
The controversy erupted after India’s players, led by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts as a symbolic protest following the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year. Suryakumar even avoided shaking hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss.Pakistan alleged Pycroft instructed both captains not to shake hands at the toss, preventing the exchange of team sheets between Suryakumar and Salman.While Pakistan protested, Suryakumar dedicated India’s win to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and to the Indian armed forces, expressing solidarity with the families affected.If Pakistan fail to take the field against UAE on Wednesday, they will be eliminated from the Asia Cup. They currently have two points from one win and one loss, and must beat UAE to secure a place in the Super Four stage.
