The PCB Chariman Mohsin Naqvi has disclosed the reason why Pakistandidn’t withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 despite Andy Pycroft officiating the match between the Green Army and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 17. Before the contest, the PCB threatened to pull out from the tournament as Team India refused to shake hands with their players after the match on September 14. The PCB exhibited their discontent on the role of Pycroft, who officiated the Sunday match and filed a complaint to the ICC to remove the Zimbabwean from the continental tournament. Responding to PCB’s complaint, the ICC delivered a six-point rebuttal to the PCB and called the board’s complaint baseless.
Naqvi divulged on the matter by saying that Pycroft held a meeting
with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, coach Mike Hesson, and the team manager and remarked that the incident (handshake with India) shouldn’t have taken place. "As you all know, there has been a crisis going on since September 14. We had objections about the role of the match referee. Just a short while ago, the match referee had a conversation with the team coach, captain, and manager. He said that the incident (no handshakes) should not have happened. We had also requested the ICC earlier to set up an inquiry into the code violation during the match," said Naqvi while addressing the media.
Pakistan to face India in the Super 4 round of Asia Cup 2025
With Pakistan’s convincing 41-run win against the UAE in the Group A match, India will lock horns against Salman Ali Agha and his men in the Super 4 game to be played in Dubai again on September 21. Pakistan won their last game against India in September 2022, in the Asia Cup clash played in Dubai.
India will conclude their group round with the contest against Oman in Abdu Dhabi on September 19. The defending champions played their last international game at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in 2006, when the Rahul Dravid-led side took Pakistan in the ODI game played in April 2006.
