New Delhi: In a fresh twist in the no-handshake row at the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistani cricket team left for the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for the Group A clash against the UAE after initial reports suggested that the team would boycott the game after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected PCB’s appeal to remove match referee Andy Pycroft.
The Pakistani team and support staff caused a dramatic delay to protest ICC’s persistent rejection of its demand to have Pycroft removed as match referee.
PCB and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi shared a post on social media which read: “We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow.”
Minutes later, a tournament source told PTI that “the team has left for the stadium, the match will be delayed by an hour.”
Match delayed by an hour after dramatic evening in Dubai
Ahead of the match, several media outlets reported that Pakistan had decided to boycott the match as they didn’t leave the team hotel in time for the match against the UAE in the wake of the no-handshake gate, which has dominated the headlines across the globe.
Pakistan blamed Pycroft for the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands following their match on Sunday as a gesture of solidarity with the victims and the families of the Pahalgam terror attack.
However, despite Pakistan’s threat to boycott the tournament, the ICC rejected their appeal.
“Pycroft will remain match referee for Wednesday’s game and if Pakistan don’t turn up, UAE will be awarded full points,” sources had said earlier.
According to multiple sources, the coin toss will take place at 7 pm local time (8.30 pm IST) and the first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm local time (9 pm IST). There is still no confirmation of whether Pycroft will officiate the match or not.