Key Points
- Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has boycotted their final Asia Cup 2025 group stage match against UAE scheduled for September 17 in Dubai.
- The boycott follows ICC’s rejection of PCB’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft after a “handshake controversy” during the India-Pakistan match.
- Pakistan players remain in their hotel and will not participate in the match, resulting in UAE being awarded full points by default.
- India has already qualified for the Super 4 stage from Group A, with the next round beginning September 20.
Dubai: The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken the drastic step of boycotting their final Asia Cup 2025 group stage match against the United Arab Emirates, scheduled for Wednesday evening at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This decision comes after the International Cricket Council rejected Pakistan’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft following what PCB termed a “handshake controversy” during the recent India-Pakistan encounter.
According to reports from Pakistani media outlet Geo News, Pakistan players are currently still at their hotel and will not be participating in the match. As a result, the ICC has confirmed that UAE will be awarded full points for the fixture, effectively handing them a walkover victory.
The Referee Controversy
The dispute centers around match referee Andy Pycroft’s conduct during the high-profile India-Pakistan match. PCB officials alleged that Pycroft’s behavior constituted a violation of Article 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Match Officials, which prohibits conduct contrary to the spirit of the game or violations of MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) rules.
In their formal complaint to the ICC, the PCB specifically requested Pycroft’s removal from his role as match referee for the remainder of the tournament. However, ICC sources have confirmed that the governing body rejected this demand and stated that Pycroft will continue in his position for Wednesday’s scheduled match and subsequent fixtures.
Tournament Implications
The boycott significantly impacts the tournament dynamics, though India has already secured their qualification to the Super 4 stage from Group A as of Monday, September 15. The Super 4 round is scheduled to commence on Saturday, September 20, at the same Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
In the Super 4 format, the top two teams from both Group A and Group B will compete against each other, with the top two performers from this stage advancing to the final. Pakistan’s boycott effectively removes them from contention for the Super 4 stage, regardless of their previous performances in the group stage.
This unprecedented move by the PCB marks a significant escalation in their dispute with the ICC and raises questions about the tournament’s integrity and Pakistan’s future participation in ICC events.
