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After Pakistan, India Also Cancel Scheduled Practice And Press Meet In Asia Cup

Sakshi Sharma

India vs Pakistan (Source: AFP)India vs Pakistan (Source: AFP)

In a significant development, the Indian team on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) cancelled its scheduled practice session and pre-match press conference, just hours after Pakistan made a similar move ahead of their must-win fixture against the UAE in the Asia Cup 2025.

It is important to mention that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) noted that the decision to cancel the scheduled practice and press meet was to give rest to the players ahead of the Oman clash.

According to the initial schedule, India was set to train for three hours starting at 6 PM (Gulf Standard Time), followed by a press conference. However, the BCCI informed media personnel via WhatsApp late Tuesday night that both events were cancelled, stating:

“Please note there will be no media and practice session tomorrow. It is a rest day. Will convey practice and PC time for pre-match PC for Thursday later,” BCCI said in the official WhatsApp group, as per the reports of Hindustan Times.

Pakistan Cancels Press Conference Amid Match Referee Dispute

It is vital to note that earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan also cancelled its pre-match press conference ahead of a critical fixture against the UAE, offering no formal explanation. 

However, according to reports, the sudden and massive move was widely interpreted as a strategic decision to avoid being questioned about the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) protest against match referee Andy Pycroft.

Handshake Row & Post-Match Fallout Add To Asia Cup Drama

Tensions were already increasing after a protest during the high-octane India vs Pakistan group match on September 14. At the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav notably declined to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart. Following India’s win, the entire Indian team refrained from post-match handshakes.

In retaliation, Pakistan’s Salman Agha skipped the post-match press conference. As India prepares to face Oman and Pakistan eyes survival against the UAE, the tournament has entered a very crucial and critical phase beyond the ground.