By News18

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The Pakistan men’s cricket team will not play the Asia Cup 2025 match against the United Arab Emirates. According to reports in Pakistani media, the match between the two teams, which is scheduled to take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, September 17, will not take place.
As per Geo News, “Pakistan has decided to boycott its final group-stage encounter against the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup 2025, following the fallout from the recent “handshake controversy” involving match referee Andy Pycroft.”
As per the available information, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has instructed their players to remain at their hotel and not travel to the stadium.
According to PTI, Pakistan’s cricket team refused to leave its hotel for the must-win Asia Cup group match against the UAE after the country’s demand to have Andy Pycroft removed as match referee was rejected for a second time by the ICC.
Pakistan had held Pycroft responsible for the embarrassment it faced after Indian players refused to shake hands following their match on Sunday as a mark of solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
“Pycroft will remain match referee for Wednesday’s game and if Pakistan don’t turn up, UAE will be awarded full points,” well-placed sources in tournament told PTI.
A PCB source said the players “have been told to stay in their rooms and wait for further instructions.”
If Pakistan boycott then…
If Pakistan boycott the match against UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, the hosts will get two points, and as a result, they will finish ahead of Pakistan in Group A and qualify for the Super Fours.
The Indian team already qualified for the Super Fours from Group A on Monday, September 15.
The Super Fours round of the Asia Cup 2025 will start on Saturday, September 20. In the second Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the top two teams from Group A will face each other.