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A $15 Million Gamble: Why Pakistan Won't Boycott India In Upcoming Asia Cup Game

Akshita Patel

India-Pakistan set to clash in Asia Cup Super Four contest [Source: AFP Photos]India-Pakistan set to clash in Asia Cup Super Four contest [Source: AFP Photos]

Pakistan's participation in the Asia Cup 2025 was nearly jeopardised due to an incident involving the Indian team's refusal to shake hands with Pakistan players. However, amid a boycott threat, the men in green won’t dare to skip the Super Four game against India due to financial reasons.

The Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, famously refused to shake hands with Pakistan after their Asia Cup 2025 clash held on September 14. The men in green saw it as a sign of disrespect, leading to a full-blown controversy.

The no-handshake controversy led to a threat of withdrawal from the tournament by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Mohsin Naqvi-Led PCB Cannot Afford To Pay Million-Dollar Fine

According to former PCB boss Najam Sethi, who spoke to Samaa TV, Naqvi was hell-bent on disallowing Pakistan from playing against the UAE and thus withdrawing from the tournament as a protest against ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, who allegedly barred Salman Agha and Suryakumar Yadav from shaking hands.

After the ICC refused to take action against Pycroft, a fuming Naqvi held a conference at the PCB office with Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja.

However, Sethi revealed that a withdrawal could have led to sanctions from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), potential boycotts of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by foreign players, and a loss of approximately $15 million in broadcasting rights.

Hence, Pakistan decided to cancel their boycott plans and played against the UAE, only to win the contest by 41 runs and qualify for the Super Four Stage.

Pakistan Have No Choice But To Play India

The boycott drama could backfire dangerously on PCB, as they cannot, in any circumstance, afford a $15 million fine at a time when their cricket ecosystem is in tatters.

Only if Naqvi had gained prior knowledge and chosen rational thinking over emotion, Pakistan wouldn’t have had to suffer from embarrassment.

Now with Andy Pycroft listed as match referee for the upcoming Indo-Pak Asia Cup Super Four clash, Pakistan have no choice but to drop their hollow boycott threat and go ahead with the game.

India and Pakistan will face off on September 12 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.