Pakistan boycott Asia Cup match against the UAE

Pakistan have decided to boycott the match against the UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. The PCB has told the players to stay in the hotel and not to travel to the stadium. A press conference is expected to discuss the pullout.

The match was scheduled to take place at 8:00 pm IST. While the UAE players have left for the stadium, Pakistan have confirmed a last-minute withdrawal.

The decision was taken after the ICC refused to remove match referee Andy Pycroft.

PCB lodged two demands with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The first request was to remove Andy Pycroft from officiating in matches.

The second demand was about India captain Suryakumar Yadav, whom the apex body of Pakistan cricket accused of making political statements. The officials of the PCB urged the ICC to take action against SKY for violating the spirit of the game. The ICC hasn’t given a response.

Pakistan players were seen waiting in the hotel with their luggage loaded onto the bus. The team was waiting for the final instructions from the PCB.

The problem started when Suryakumar Yadav and other players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha didn’t attend the post-match presentation ceremony.

According to PCB, Andy Pycroft stopped Salman from shaking hands with Salman and also prevented the exchange of team sheets. Pakistan will lose USD 16 million in revenue if they don’t play in the remaining matches of the Continental Cup.