Dubai: Pakistan’s threat to pull out of the Asia Cup ended on Wednesday after a day of high drama in Dubai, with the team eventually taking the field against the UAE following an hour’s delay. The stand-off was sparked by Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, a request the International Cricket Council (ICC) firmly rejected.
The origins of the controversy
The row stemmed from the India-Pakistan clash on September 14, when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. Yadav later explained the gesture was an act of solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and Indian armed forces.
Following the incident, PCB alleged that Pycroft had mishandled the situation, instructing captains not to exchange team sheets and advising Salman against initiating a handshake. The PCB filed two separate complaints with the ICC, demanding Pycroft’s removal from officiating Pakistan’s matches.
PCB escalates the standoff
Ahead of their Asia Cup fixture against UAE, the Pakistan team refused to leave their hotel in Dubai and awaited instructions from PCB headquarters in Lahore. Officials described the situation as “chaotic,” with the team’s absence delaying the match by an hour.
The PCB later claimed Pycroft had “apologised” to the Pakistan team management and captain, calling the incident a result of “miscommunication.” A muted video clip of the meeting between Pycroft, Salman Ali Agha, manager Naveed Akram Cheema, and coach Mike Hesson was posted on PCB’s official account, fuelling speculation.
ICC stands firm
The ICC flatly denied that Pycroft had issued an apology, stressing that the referee had not breached any code of conduct. “There was no question of any apology. Especially from someone who did no wrong,” a senior ICC source told TimesofIndia.com.
Officials clarified that the meeting was convened at Pycroft’s insistence solely to clear up any misunderstandings. The ICC warned that replacing officials based on team demands would set a dangerous precedent, and therefore Pycroft would continue as referee.
Pakistan backs down
With the ICC refusing to concede and the Asia Cup schedule at risk, Pakistan eventually agreed to play the match against UAE with Pycroft officiating. The episode ended with PCB backing down from its threat of boycott, though not without stirring controversy.
The ICC reiterated its willingness to conduct a limited inquiry into the incident but maintained that Pycroft had acted within the rules and protocols.
The bigger picture
This standoff comes amid rising tensions in South Asian cricket, where off-field disputes often overshadow on-field contests. Analysts noted that while Pakistan’s show of defiance may have been aimed at projecting strength, the eventual climbdown underlined the ICC’s authority in tournament governance.
For fans, the incident added fresh drama to the already high-voltage India-Pakistan rivalry in the Asia Cup. But for cricket administrators, it raised uncomfortable questions about the balance of power between boards and the governing body.