DUBAI (Kashmir English): The Pakistan-UAE Asia Cup game is on after the ICC match referee Andy Pycroft apologised to Pakistan cricket team captain Salman Ali Agha and manager over the ‘no handshake’ order during the Pakistan-India game.
In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that “Pycroft has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team.”
“Andy Pycroft had prohibited the captains of both teams from shaking hands during the India-Pakistan match,” the statement added.
The cricket board said that Pycroft termed the incident on September 14 as a result of miscommunication and apologized.
“The ICC has expressed its readiness to investigate the violation of the Code of Conduct during the match on September 14,” it added.
ائی سی سی کے متنازعہ میچ ریفری اینڈی پائی کرافٹ نے پاکستانی کرکٹ ٹیم کے مینجر اور ٹیم کے کپتان سے معذرت کر لی۔ pic.twitter.com/2dZaxPFbFg
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) September 17, 2025
Following the drama, Salman Ali Agha and Muhammad Wasim, the captains of Pakistan and the UAE respectively, landed in the middle for the toss at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The UAE won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Earlier, the Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had asked the Pakistan team to depart for their Asia Cup 2025 match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow,” PCB chief Naqvi said on X.
We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 17, 2025
Earlier, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed that the match would start at 7:30 pm local time (8:30 pm PST).
Addressing the reporters at Gaddafi Stadium, the cricket board spokesperson Amir Mir also said the clash was delayed by one hour amid uncertainty over whether the match would even be played at all.
After the handshake row with India, PCB officially demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft from officiating Asia Cup 2025 matches. PCB sources reaffirmed that in case of failure, Pakistan could withdraw from the remaining Asia Cup matches.
As the dispute between PCB and Refree escalated, PCB stood firm and threatened the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it would not play under him.
The sources added that the PCB sent a second letter to the ICC after its previous request for Pycroft’s removal was rejected.
In the recent communication, PCB opposed the ICC’s refusal to take action against the referee and was vehemently opposed to his continued participation in the tournament.
The board expressed that Pakistan would decline to play matches covered by Pycroft and reinforced its stand that it could resort to a boycott if the matter was not resolved.
The sources also established that Pakistan dismissed ICC’s investigation into Pycroft as a formality, alleging the probe did not study all the issues surrounding the case nor involved the stakeholders.
The PCB has insisted that its issue has to be addressed in its entirety, with a clear indication that Pakistan will only assent to play after Pycroft’s removal is officially announced by the ICC.
The prevailing viewpoint has put more pressure on the ICC, and a formal statement regarding the case is imminent.
