Pakistan and UAE’s highly anticipated Asia Cup clash, originally scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM IST, faced a one-hour delay as match referee Andy Pycroft became the centre of a developing controversy.
Organisers confirmed that the toss would take place at 8:30 PM IST, with the match beginning at 9:00 PM IST.
The delay followed reports that the Pakistan team refused to board the team bus, citing unresolved concerns over Pycroft’s officiating in a prior match against India.
The tension stemmed from a previous India–Pakistan fixture, where players from both sides left the field without the customary handshake.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed that match referee Pycroft had advised their captain not to engage in the post-match gesture, which they viewed as contrary to the spirit of the game.
In a formal letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the PCB alleged a violation of the Match Officials’ Code of Conduct, stating that the referee’s actions had brought the game into disrepute and had political and emotional ramifications.
Team Withdrawal Considered
Following the handshake episode, the PCB demanded Pycroft’s removal from officiating in the Pakistan–UAE match.
When the request was denied, reports emerged that the PCB was considering withdrawing the team from the fixture altogether.
The situation escalated when officials delayed the team’s departure for the stadium. However, after internal consultations, they instructed the team to proceed, averting a potential forfeit.
The match between Pakistan and UAE carries high stakes, as both teams are level on points and vying for qualification behind table-toppers India.
The added tension off the field has heightened the sense of drama around what is now effectively a virtual knockout.
While the players eventually took the field, the controversy cast a shadow over the fixture, with questions still looming over officiating integrity, player conduct, and administrative transparency.
This latest development highlights the growing strain between cricket boards and international governing bodies.
While the ICC stood by its appointed official, the PCB’s public dissent suggests deeper concerns around matchday protocols and fairness.
As the tournament progresses, the governing bodies must decide whether to address these issues or allow similar incidents to continue disrupting the competition’s spirit and flow.
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