Before the commencement of their must-win Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan cancelled their pre-match media briefing. That game, delayed by an hour amid boycott threats, saw Pakistan secure a 41-run victory, propelled by Fakhar Zaman’s 50 off 36 balls and Shaheen Afridi’s 29 not out off 14, ensuring their progression to the Super 4 from Group A alongside India. Pakistan are set to face India again in the Asia Cup 2025 in part of their Super 4 match on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Reports claim that the Pakistan cricket team has abruptly cancelled its scheduled pre-match press conference ahead of their match against India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The reported cancellation marks the second
time this week that Pakistan has skipped a pre-match media briefing. The decision, reportedly confirmed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials, has reignited tensions following a contentious handshake controversy during the teams’ earlier Group A encounter on September 14, 2025. The move has fueled speculation about Pakistan’s stance in the tournament, with the PCB reportedly still fuming over the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) refusal to remove match referee Andy Pycroft, whom they accused of misconduct.
Cancellation of media briefing a strategic move to sidestep media scrutiny: Reports
The controversy stems from the Group A fixture on September 14, when India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, both at the toss and post-match, citing solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in May 2025. The PCB lodged a formal complaint with the ICC, alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands at the toss, a claim Pycroft reportedly clarified as a miscommunication, expressing regret but not apologizing. They demanded Pycroft’s removal, arguing his actions violated the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC’s Laws of Cricket regarding the spirit of the game. The ICC rejected the plea, prompting Pakistan to threaten a tournament boycott, though they proceeded with the UAE match after Pycroft was reportedly rested for that game, with Richie Richardson stepping in as referee.
The cancellation of the press conference, reportedly confirmed by Pakistan’s team media manager Syed Naeem Ahmed, is seen as a strategic move to sidestep media scrutiny over the handshake row and the PCB’s ongoing standoff with the ICC. The Super 4 match against India is critical for Pakistan, who are coming off a morale-boosting win against the UAE, where spinner Abrar Ahmed (2-13) and pacers Shaheen Afridi (2-16) and Haris Rauf (2-19) restricted the hosts to 105 in 17.4 overs. Captain Salman Agha, while acknowledging batting concerns, expressed confidence in a press interaction post-UAE match, stating, “We’re ready for Sunday’s rematch with India. If we bat well in the middle overs, we can push to 170 no matter the opposition.” Pakistan’s unchanged XI from the UAE game, announced via X by the PCB, signals continuity in their strategy.
