PAK vs UAE, Asia Cup 2025: Umpire forced to leave field after Pakistan fielder hits him on head
The Pakistan vs United Arab Emirates match turned out to be one of the most bizzare match of Asia Cup 2025. First the match started an hour late due to Pakistan’s dramatic boycott call and their plea to replace match referee Andy Pycroft over the whole “no-handshake” controversy.
After the match started in the final over of the powerplay, UAE was batting and on-field umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge was forced to leave the field after a freak incident. Pakistan fielder accidentally throwed the ball which went and directly hit the on-field umpire off-guard. It was a return throw to bowler Saim Ayub which struck the umpure Palliyaguruhe above his left ear. The throw wasn;t forceful but it completely caught the umpire off-guard.
saim ayub & the no-look. always a deadly combopic.twitter.com/Dzdab4g7m4
— Cani (@caniyaar) September 17, 2025
The medical staff including Pakistan’s physio rushed in and the umpire had to go through the concussion protocol after which he opted to step out of the field. In his replacement a reserve umpire Gazi Sohel stepped him for the remaining match.
As for the match, Pakistan had set a target of 147 runs and they easily defended it as the Men in Green piled up UAE’s innings at a mere score of 105 runs.