Pakistan backs down from Asia Cup boycott, confirms participation in UAE match

Pakistan Withdraws Asia Cup Boycott Threat, Set to Face UAE.

Pakistan have reversed their threat to boycott the Asia Cup over the handshake row with India and will play their final Group A match against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, September 17.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Pakistan’s request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the tournament, but sources confirmed that Richie Richardson will officiate in Wednesday’s game instead. The decision followed discussions between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan had warned of pulling out of the competition after accusing Pycroft of inaction when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates refused to shake hands following Sunday’s India-Pakistan clash. The PCB had written to the ICC demanding his removal.

On Tuesday, Pakistan cancelled their scheduled pre-match press conference, fuelling uncertainty about their participation. However, the team, led by Salman Ali Agha, trained at the ICC Academy later in the evening. Defeat against the UAE would have ended their campaign, but a win will keep them in contention for a Super 4 berth.

The boycott threat stemmed from India’s refusal to engage in customary handshakes with Pakistan. Captain Salman boycotted the post-match presentation, while coach Mike Hesson said the players felt slighted. Suryakumar defended his stance, saying “a few things in life are beyond sportsman spirit,” and dedicated India’s win to the armed forces and victims of the April terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Sunday’s match was the first India-Pakistan encounter since the Pahalgam attack and subsequent cross-border hostilities. The Indian government had cleared participation only in multilateral tournaments, maintaining a ban on bilateral sporting ties.

The controversy has spilled over onto social media, with former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf using a slur against Suryakumar before issuing a clarification. Ex-India pacer Madan Lal criticised Yousuf’s remarks as damaging to Pakistan’s image.

Meanwhile, India, already through to the Super 4 after wins over Pakistan and Oman, continued training in Dubai. Should Pakistan beat the UAE, the arch-rivals will meet again on Sunday, September 21.