Dubai: The Asia Cup faced an unprecedented disruption on Wednesday as Pakistan announced it will not participate in its scheduled match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to national media reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) instructed its players to remain confined to their hotel and refrain from traveling to the stadium, throwing the evening fixture into uncertainty.
The match, originally slated to begin at 8:00 pm Indian Standard Time, now hangs in limbo. While the UAE squad proceeded to the stadium in anticipation of the game, the Pakistan team has not made any move toward the venue, leaving fans and officials anxious about the unfolding situation.
The controversy traces its roots to the high-tension clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday. During the pre-match toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not exchange the customary handshake with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. Reports indicate that match referee Andy Pycroft had advised Salman against pressuring the Indian captain into a handshake, a move that triggered a strong reaction from the PCB.
Following the incident, the PCB demanded the removal of Pycroft from officiating any further matches in the tournament. The board issued a clear ultimatum: unless the referee is replaced, Pakistan will withdraw from the Asia Cup. The International Cricket Council (ICC), however, has firmly maintained that Pycroft’s position will remain unchanged.
In response, Pakistan’s current stance is unequivocal: the match against UAE will not proceed unless the PCB’s demand regarding the referee is met. This standoff marks a significant escalation in tensions within the tournament, leaving the cricketing world closely watching the evolving drama.
The Asia Cup, already a stage of intense regional rivalry, now faces the risk of further controversies as the fate of Pakistan’s remaining fixtures hangs in the balance.