The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to withdraw from their upcoming Asia Cup 2025 Group A match against the United Arab Emirates if the International Cricket Council (ICC) does not remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the tournament. This development follows a controversy where the Indian cricket team refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after their match on Sunday.And as TimesofIndia.com reported on Monday, ICC are unlikely to pay heed to PCB’s threats and have all but made their stance on the situation clear.
The incident occurred during the post-match proceedings when India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team declined the customary handshake with their Pakistani opponents. The Indian team also closed their dressing room door, preventing the traditional exchange of greetings.Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha and coach Mike Hesson expressed their displeasure with the Indian team’s actions. Agha subsequently boycotted the post-match presentation, choosing not to interact with former Indian cricket player Sanjay Manjrekar.Asia CupSuper 4s qualification scenarios
India have already qualified for the Asia Cup Super 4s stage with two wins in two matches. (Image: TimesofIndia.com)
The PCB’s threat to withdraw from their match against the UAE carries significant consequences. If Pakistan follows through with their boycott, they would be automatically eliminated from the Asia Cup tournament.A boycott would result in Pakistan being stranded with only two points from their single victory against Oman. This would be insufficient for qualification to the Super 4s stage, as both India and the UAE would then accumulate more points.India, however, have already qualified for the next stage of the competition, after UAE beat Oman by 42 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.India lead the Group A standings with four points from two matches with Pakistan second on two points. UAE joined them on two points after Monday’s fixture but have a far inferior net run rate. However, if Pakistan boycott their match, the UAE would receive a walkover, increasing their points to four. Oman, meanwhile, have been eliminated from the competition.This scenario would ensure both India and the UAE’s progression to the Super 4s stage. India have already secured four points from their victories against the UAE and Pakistan.If Pakistan do continue with their match against the UAE, it would become a decisive contest where the winner advances to the next round. The match’s outcome would determine which team joins India in the Super 4s stage.The situation now depends on the ICC’s response to Pakistan’s demand regarding match referee Andy Pycroft, who is currently scheduled to officiate Pakistan’s match against the UAE.
