Pakistan cancel pre-match presser as Pycroft returns for India showdown

ISLAMABAD: Controversial referee Andy Pycroft has once again been appointed to officiate the high-voltage Pakistan-India match scheduled for Sunday, prompting Pakistan’s cricket team to cancel its pre-match press conference.

Earlier, Andy Pycroft apologised to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and the team manager for instructing players not to shake hands with Indian team during the toss of the Pakistan–India Asia Cup clash

According to reports, the Pakistan team has also hired a motivational speaker ahead of the encounter. The two sides will face off in the Asia Cup Super Four stage, with Pakistan expected to make one or two changes in the playing XI.

India dominated the first clash, and fans are now eagerly awaiting to see who will prevail in the second contest, set to begin at 7:30 pm Pakistan time.

India remain unbeaten in the tournament so far, while Pakistan’s only defeat came at the hands of their arch-rivals.

On the eve of the big match, Head Coach Mike Hesson and skipper Salman Agha held a lengthy meeting with the squad.

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Lions sent to bat in Asia Cup 2025 Super Four

Sources said that the batting unit admitted to failures in earlier matches and vowed to correct mistakes in the Super Four stage. Hesson urged players to reduce dot balls and focus on strike rotation.

Pakistan also held an intensive training session in Dubai, with strong focus on batting, bowling, and fielding drills.

Sources said that ticket demand for the big clash has surged, with the minimum ticket price reaching 350 dirhams (Rs27,000).

In the September 14 group stage match, referee Andy Pycroft courted controversy when, allegedly on the instructions of the Indian cricket board, he prevented Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha from shaking hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav.

Following the match, the Indian team also snubbed Pakistan by refusing to shake hands, leading the PCB to bar its captain from attending the post-match presentation.

The PCB subsequently demanded Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup in a letter to ICC, but the ICC responded that his role in the “no handshake” incident was minimal.

Dissatisfied with the response, the PCB sent another letter warning that Pakistan might boycott the tournament if Pycroft was not removed.