Shock Withdrawal Drama Resolves — For Now
In a dramatic turn, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially pulled its team out of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup, just hours before their match against UAE; citing inaction and bias by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after Indian players refused to shake hands with their opponents pre- and post-match.
However, following urgent discussions, an agreement was reached between PCB and ICC, and the team left for the Dubai International Stadium, with the match against the UAE expected to start an hour late. Though many felt that ICC had agreed to Pakistan’s demand to remove Pycroft, the latter's presence at the stadium made it clear that he would be officiating the contest. Telecom Asia Sport has learnt that Wasim Khan, GM Cricket ICC, mediated the meeting between Pycroft, Pakistan manager Naveed Akram Cheema, captain Salman Ali Agha and coach Mike Hesson.
On Wednesday, the Pakistan squad was scheduled to leave for the Dubai International Stadium to face the UAE. Players’ kit bags were loaded onto the bus, but moments before departure, the team was stopped from boarding, sources told Telecom Asia Sport. The players were asked to rest in their hotel rooms, while the negotiations were still on.
Once an agreement was reached, PCB Chairman and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi tweeted: "We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow."
Just before the start of the contest, PCB sent a release stating 'Pycroft has apologised to the Pakistan cricket team's manager and captain'. It also stated that ICC has expressed its readiness to investigate a breach of the Code of Conduct during the match on 14 September.
Naqvi had earlier consulted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on the controversy. Both advised him to take a firm stance, strengthening the board’s resolve to confront the ICC.
Earlier, in the day, Telecom Asia Sport has reported that PCB had firmly demanded to remove match referee Pycroft and had showed no signs of easing, though the team confirmed it will face the UAE in Dubai later in the day.
Contrary to reports in the media, our stance on Pycroft continues as the International Cricket Council has not removed him from our matches.
Accusations Of Bias
The PCB accuses Pycroft of siding with India in the “no-handshake” controversy, claiming he advised skipper Salman Agha not to shake hands with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav before Sunday’s clash. The incident has deepened tensions between the two boards.
Internal Fallout In Pakistan Camp
The row has triggered changes within PCB’s structure. Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla was suspended for delays in responding to the issue. Former captain Rashid Latif, meanwhile, turned the spotlight on team manager Naveed Cheema.
Cheema is a former bureaucrat and he should have given a statement soon after the toss.
Spotlight Shifts To Suryakumar
Latif also argued that PCB should have challenged Suryakumar Yadav’s post-match remarks, where he dedicated India’s seven-wicket win to the victims of Pahalgam.
That was political and should have been highlighted.
ICC Unmoved By Pressure
The ICC, however, remains reluctant to act against Pycroft, stressing that his removal would set a damaging precedent. The governing body has not yet issued an official response despite multiple approaches.
