Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan Boycott crucial match against UAE amid handshake row
PAK vs UAE: In a major turn of events at the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan has reportedly decided not to play their scheduled Group Stage match against host nation UAE today in Dubai. This decision comes amid rising tensions following the recent handshake controversy during the India vs Pakistan fixture, further escalating the diplomatic and sporting fallout from the incident.
According to GEO News Reports, Pakistan’s refusal to take the field effectively hands a walkover win to the United Arab Emirates. With this automatic two-point gain, UAE has officially qualified for the Super Four stage of the tournament. Meanwhile, Pakistan now faces elimination, having failed to secure the necessary points to advance.
The controversy erupted during Sunday’s high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan when the Indian team allegedly refused to shake hands with Pakistani players at the end of the match. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) subsequently accused match referee Andy Pycroft of contributing to the incident. The PCB claimed that Pycroft had told Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss that no handshakes would take place – something they argue goes against the traditions and rules set by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
The PCB escalated the matter by filing an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), addressed to ICC General Manager Wasim Khan. The board demanded that Pycroft be removed from officiating the remainder of the Asia Cup, citing violation of cricketing protocol and the spirit of the game. However, the ICC declined the request, reaffirming its trust in the match official.
In the wake of this decision, reports surfaced late Monday suggesting that the PCB was considering withdrawing from the tournament altogether if their demand was not met. Although no formal withdrawal has been announced, Pakistan’s refusal to play today’s match against UAE is being interpreted as an act of protest.
Neither PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi nor any senior board official has made a direct public statement on the boycott. However, sources close to the matter confirm that internal discussions within the PCB were heated, and top-level officials were deeply dissatisfied with how the situation was handled by the ICC.
With Pakistan officially out of contention and the Asia Cup’s Super Four line-up now confirmed, this incident has cast a shadow over the tournament. It raises serious concerns about sportsmanship, officiating standards, and the increasing politicisation of cricket in the subcontinent.
What equation says now
In Group B of the Asia Cup, which consists of four teams including India and Pakistan, the standings have now been affected by Pakistan’s refusal to play against the UAE. Team India has already secured their spot in the Super Four by winning both of their matches. Oman, having lost both games, is eliminated from the tournament. The battle for the remaining Super Four spot was set to be decided between Pakistan and the UAE. However, with Pakistan’s withdrawal, the UAE has been awarded two points by default, securing their qualification for the Super Four alongside India.
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