Pakistan vs UAE: Crucial Asia Cup Clash
Pakistan is set to play against the UAE in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, with Richie Richardson appointed as the match referee after Andy Pycroft’s removal. The high-stakes fixture will decide which team advances to the Super Fours, making it a crucial encounter for both sides.
The decision follows the handshake controversy that emerged during the India-Pakistan clash on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India successfully chased down Pakistan’s 128-run target in just 16 overs, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav. However, post-match proceedings sparked debate when Yadav and Shivam Dube bypassed the traditional handshake, opting instead for fist bumps, leaving Pakistan players waiting.
Handshake Row Sparks PCB Action
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially lodged a complaint to both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) regarding the issue. The board accused referee Andy Pycroft of failing in his duties after he directed players to skip handshakes both before and after the match.
The PCB argued that this directive undermined the spirit of cricket and breached the MCC’s code of conduct, which upholds long-standing traditions of the game. “No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of cricket’s values,” PCB highlighted in its letter.
ICC’s Response and Pycroft’s Removal
Initially, Indian media reported that the ICC had rejected PCB’s demand for Pycroft’s removal. However, the matter escalated, and by Tuesday, ARY News confirmed that Pycroft had been replaced, with Richie Richardson stepping in to officiate Pakistan’s upcoming clash with the UAE.
This change adds extra intensity to tomorrow’s match, as both teams will be under close scrutiny following the controversy. The outcome will decide their path to the Super Fours stage of the Asia Cup 2025.