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Pakistan Threaten To Boycott Asia Cup Match Vs UAE If ICC Doesn't Fulfil PCB's Demands

Rajgeeta Yadav

Pakistan likely to boycott Asia Cup 2025 [Source: AFP]Pakistan likely to boycott Asia Cup 2025 [Source: AFP]

Pakistan’s participation in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 has been thrown into doubt after a heated fallout from their match against India in Dubai. Cricbuzz reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to boycott its next group-stage game against the United Arab Emirates, scheduled for September 17 at 8:00 PM, if its demands are not met.

The controversy began even before the match had properly started on Sunday. During the national anthems, the stadium’s loudspeakers accidentally played the song “Jalebi Baby” instead of the official anthems, creating confusion and embarrassment. 

Moments later at the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with his opposite number, Salman Ali Agha, as per the reports. Tensions only deepened after India’s convincing victory, when none of the Indian players exchanged handshakes with their Pakistani rivals before leaving the field.

This gesture, or lack of one, infuriated the Pakistan team. Skipper Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest, while the PCB lodged a formal complaint against the Indian players and ICC match referee Andy Pycroft on September 15. 

PCB Demands Action Against Referee

According to Pakistan, Pycroft had allegedly advised Salman not to shake hands with the Indian captain at the toss, an act the PCB described as being against the “spirit of cricket.” 

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, publicly accused Pycroft of violating the ICC Code of Conduct and demanded his removal.

The row comes at a sensitive time, with cricketing ties between India and Pakistan already strained by political tensions and recent security concerns. While India brushed aside Pakistan with 25 balls and seven wickets to spare, the match has since been overshadowed by the off-field drama. 

Pakistan now insists that unless action is taken against the match referee and its grievances are addressed, it may refuse to play against UAE in their third group match.