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Pakistan Boycotts Asia Cup 2025 Match Against UAE After Handshake Controversy
Introduction
The Asia Cup 2025 has taken an unexpected turn as Pakistan announced a boycott of their final group-stage clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The decision comes after the now-infamous “handshake controversy”, which has triggered major diplomatic and cricketing tensions between Pakistan, India, and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Origin of the Handshake Row
The controversy began after the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash earlier this week. At the end of the match, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates refused to shake hands with Pakistani players. In protest, Pakistan’s skipper Salman Ali Agha also skipped the post-match presentation ceremony.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later alleged that match referee Andy Pycroft played a role in escalating the incident. According to PCB, Pycroft not only discouraged the handshake but also prevented the traditional exchange of team sheets before the match — an act Pakistan considered highly irregular and biased.
PCB’s Two Major Demands
Following the incident, PCB submitted two formal demands to the ICC:
- Immediate removal of Andy Pycroft from officiating duties.
- Disciplinary action against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, claiming his politically charged remarks violated the ICC Code of Conduct and the “spirit of the game.”
However, the ICC declined Pakistan’s request to replace Pycroft, leading to further escalation.
Pakistan Team Ordered to Stay in Hotel
On the day of their match against UAE, the PCB instructed the national team to remain in their hotel rooms instead of traveling to the stadium. Players were reportedly waiting in the hotel lobby, with their kits and luggage still loaded onto the team bus.
The scheduled game, set to begin at 8:00 PM IST, was delayed by one hour as negotiations continued. While the UAE squad had already reached the stadium, Pakistan’s absence all but confirmed a last-minute boycott.
Financial and Disciplinary Ramifications
By choosing to boycott the match, Pakistan could face a potential financial loss of up to 16 million US dollars. Moreover, the ICC may impose strict disciplinary action, as refusing to play a scheduled match violates tournament regulations.
This development casts uncertainty not only on Pakistan’s future in the Asia Cup but also on the tournament’s credibility as a whole.
India’s Standpoint
Defending his team’s decision, Suryakumar Yadav explained that Indian players refrained from handshakes as a mark of respect for victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and to express solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces’ Operation Sindoor.
While India justified the move on humanitarian and patriotic grounds, PCB slammed the gesture as “unsporting” and accused Pycroft of failing to maintain neutrality.
Political Undertones
The situation has far-reaching political implications. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has come under scrutiny. Critics argue that Pakistan’s decision reflects political motivations as much as sporting grievances.
ICC Code of Conduct Concerns
In a strongly worded letter to the ICC, PCB claimed:
“The match referee failed to ensure respect and sportsmanship between the two competing sides. His actions were contrary to the spirit of the game and violated the MCC Laws.”
They also claimed that Pycroft’s directives escalated the situation, violating Article 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Match Officials.
Possible Fallout
- Pakistan could face monetary fines and tournament sanctions.
- The Asia Cup’s reputation has been damaged, raising questions about the ACC’s governance.
- Future India-Pakistan cricket ties may be further strained.
Conclusion
The Pakistan boycott of the UAE clash marks one of the most dramatic incidents in Asia Cup history. What started as a handshake issue has spiraled into a political and financial storm, testing the ICC’s ability to maintain fairness and control.
The cricketing world now waits to see whether ICC takes action against Pakistan, India, or match referee Andy Pycroft — or whether diplomacy will eventually calm the storm.