The upcoming match between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Asia Cup faces uncertainty following a controversial move by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The ACC deleted a Twitter post regarding the match, sparking speculation about its status. The Pakistan cricket team had previously threatened to boycott the match. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft, alleging he prevented players from Pakistan and India from shaking hands.
The situation has escalated with the ACC’s decision to remove the match post, raising doubts about Pakistan’s participation. With the team’s departure from the hotel imminent, the match’s confirmation remains uncertain. Pakistan also canceled their Wednesday press conference, further fueling the suspense. Despite this, the Pakistani team engaged in extended practice sessions at the ICC Cricket Academy on Tuesday.
The PCB has reportedly sent a second letter to the ICC. The PCB seeks Pycroft’s removal from their match. The Pakistani team’s performance against India led to criticism. The Indian team did not shake hands with the Pakistani players after the match, escalating tensions. ACC and PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi directly criticized the referee on social media and suspended the Pakistani team’s director.