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Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi, second right, celebrates the dismissal of United Arab Emirates's Alishan Sharafu with teammates during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to clash for the second time in the Asia Cup 2025, this time in a Super Four match in Dubai on Sunday. However, the tournament has been marred by controversy after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft. This development followed the Indian team’s refusal to shake hands with the Pakistani players after their previous match. Even skipper Suryakumar Yadav refrained from any customary interaction with his counterpart, Salman Ali Agha, during the toss.
After the ICC rejected the PCB’s request to remove Pycroft, they threatened to boycott their match against the UAE, a move that would have ended their journey in the Asia Cup. Ultimately, however, they played the match after a one-hour delay and won by 41 runs. Former India cricketer Madan Lal slammed the PCB for its poor management and for making demands he considered unjustified.
“Pakistan have surrendered because their demand was not genuine. First of all, why should we shake hands with them? It is not mentioned in any rulebook. Secondly, why should match referee Andy Pycroft be sacked?” Madan Lal was quoted as saying by India Today.
He added, “Pakistan have so many people interfering in one matter, and if you see the condition of the PCB, there’s no board. They take a decision just like that, and that’s not right because at the international level, you have to be extremely sure whenever you take any decision.”
‘Pak going to suffer’
Against the UAE, Pak had come to the ground an hour late, with the PCB and ICC engaged in negotiations through a back channel. PCB agreed to play the game only after receiving an apology from match referee Pycroft. On Pakistan threatening to boycott the UAE clash, Madan Lal said, “If you are not going to play, then who will suffer? You are going to suffer. If Pakistan would have boycotted the match against UAE, they would have caused an irreparable damage to their cricket.”
He also criticised Pakistan’s cricket, which has disappointed them time and again. “Look at the condition of their country. They are suffering from everything now. They had such talented cricketers but look at their team for the last five-six years. The current team which is playing now has no class at all. The way they have batted, I have never seen any Pakistan team batting like that,” he said.
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