By Aveek Banerjee,News18

Copyright news18

Team India’s comprehensive victory over Pakistan on Sunday was overshadowed by the no-handshake row that left the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) fuming. The drama escalated after reports surfaced that the Pakistan cricket team boycotted the Asia Cup match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday.
According to initial 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, would not take place after Pakistan decided to boycott the match following the recent “handshake controversy” involving match referee Andy Pycroft. However, the Pakistani team later announced that they would play the final group-stage encounter with the UAE.
News of Pakistan’s alleged boycott prompted netizens to relentlessly troll the team for walking away from a do-or-die clash, with users saying that they were doing so because they were unprepared for the tournament.
“As per reports, Pakistan is not ready to play in the UAE and is threatening to boycott the Asia Cup. Truth is, they aren’t even ready for the tournament itself. Excuses can’t hide unpreparedness forever,” a user said. Another wrote, “Yeh kaisa masterstroke hai?”

As per reports, Pakistan is not ready to play in the UAE and is threatening to boycott the Asia Cup. Truth is, they aren’t even ready for the tournament itself. Excuses can’t hide unpreparedness forever. #PAKvsUAE #PakistanCricket #AsiaCup2025 #ByeByePakistan pic.twitter.com/8XjRu0A8LY
— Rishabh Datta (@rishabhdatt) September 17, 2025

So, Pakistan has decided to boycott their Asia Cup match against the UAE today. This will be the biggest loss for Mohsin Naqvi as ACC chairman, because Pakistan will not qualify without playing, making it their worst Asia Cup ever.
— Mr Shah (@Iamshah0000) September 17, 2025

Mohsin naqvi is butcher of Pakistan cricket he must resign immediately. Pathetic decision to boycott Asia Cup #AsiaCup #PAKvUAE https://t.co/pVI5kKm9Vk
— Technologia 🧑‍?™️ (@letsTecnologia) September 17, 2025

“I genuinely thought Pakistan cannot do anything more stupid in this tournament than opting to bat first against India at Dubai. But no, they have decided to boycott the game against UAE just because ICC has denied their request to remove the match referee. Bizarre,” another user commented.
“Pakistan would have to pay USD 16 Million if they boycott the match. Bhai itne mein toh inhe Lahore bechna pad jayega,” another person wrote.

I genuinely thought Pakistan cannot do anything more stupid in this tournament than opting to bat first against India at Dubai.
But no, they have decided to boycott the game against UAE just because ICC has denied their request to remove the match referee. Bizarre. #AsiaCup
— Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) September 17, 2025

So Pakistan has decided to boycott their Asia Cup match against the UAE today. Great news as that’s exactly what we want them to do!
— Raja Muneeb (@RajaMuneeb) September 17, 2025

Pakistan shouldn’t boycott the Asia Cup.
Wo alag baat hai hamari team ki performance 2 paise ki hai lekin hamein phir bhi cricket dekhni hai.
— Abdullah (@michaelscottfc) September 17, 2025

Even Pakistani commentators criticised the decision to boycott the game, which will eliminate Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the Super 4s, and lambasted the team’s miserable performance in international tournaments.
As per the reports, the PCB had instructed their players to remain at their hotel and not travel to the stadium. However, after a bit of delay, the Pakistani team began heading for the stadium after the PCB chairman instructed them to play the match. Top sources said Pakistan was playing due to the UAE and did not have a choice to walk away from the tournament, as there was a strong case against the handshake row.
Pakistan demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft as match referee, deeming him 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. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav defended the decision, saying some things came before sportsman’s spirit.
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.