Dubai — Pakistan defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 41 runs on Wednesday to secure a place in the Super-4 of the Asia Cup T20. The win came after hours of uncertainty, with Pakistan nearly boycotting the match over a dispute involving referee Andy Pycroft.
Boycott Threat and Match Delay
Pakistan’s squad was scheduled to leave their hotel at 4:30 p.m. local time but initially refused to travel to the Dubai stadium. UAE players had already arrived at 5 p.m. for warm-up, unsure whether the game would go ahead.
The controversy centered on Pycroft, the Zimbabwean referee, who caused outrage during Pakistan’s earlier clash with India. At the toss, he had advised Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Pakistan considered the move biased and disrespectful. PCB pushed for Pycroft’s removal, forcing the game to be delayed by an hour. The toss was eventually held at 7 p.m., and the match began at 7:30 p.m.
PCB Response and Referee’s Apology
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also the Asian Cricket Council chief, consulted former officials Rameez Raja and Najam Sethi before the match. Team manager Naveed Akram, captain Salman Agha, and coach Mike Hesson later met Pycroft behind closed doors.
Minutes before the toss, PCB issued a press release stating Pycroft had apologized for a “miscommunication” during the India match. PCB said the apology convinced Pakistan to withdraw its boycott stance. The International Cricket Council (ICC), however, had clarified that Pycroft acted under instructions from the Asian Cricket Council, rejecting Pakistan’s claims of bias.
Fallout From India Clash and Pakistan’s Qualification
The dispute stemmed from Sunday’s India-Pakistan match, where India won by seven wickets. Players refrained from handshakes afterward, with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav later saying he had been advised by the BCCI and government to avoid it.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson said his players were ready to shake hands but were ignored. Captain Salman Agha refused post-match media duties in protest. PCB lodged a formal complaint against Pycroft, accusing him of worsening tensions in the high-profile rivalry.
Despite the controversy, Pakistan went on to defeat UAE and advance to the Super-4 alongside India from Group A. The episode highlighted how off-field politics and on-field cricket in South Asia remain deeply connected, with even a handshake dispute triggering international attention.
