DUBAI:

A controversy during the recent Pakistan-India clash in the Asia Cup was ended on Wednesday with a dramatic twist after match referee Andy Pycroft issued an apology to the Pakistan team, leading Pakistan to withdraw its threat to boycott the tournament and take part in the crucial match against the UAE.

The match began with a delay of one hour, with uncertainty persisting till the last moment. The ICC expressed its willingness to launch an inquiry into the code of conduct violation, although Pycroft has not been removed from his duties.

The Zimbabwean referee officiated Sunday’s politically-charged clash between Pakistan and India, after which the victorious team refused to shake hands with Pakistani players.

Captain Salman Ali Agha and coach Mike Hesson approached them but, understanding the situation, decided to walk away. Earlier, even at the toss, there had been no handshake between the captains – reportedly on instructions from match referee Andy Pycroft.

In response, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi demanded Pycroft’s immediate removal from the remaining Asia Cup matches and even threatened to withdraw the team from the tournament if the demand was not met. Until moments before Pakistan’s match against the UAE, uncertainty loomed.

A zoom call took place between PCB and ICC officials, during which the players’ gear was loaded onto the team bus, but the players themselves were not sent to the stadium. Later, they were told the match would not take place and were sent back to their rooms. The PCB even announced an emergency press conference in Lahore.

Following this, the situation changed dramatically. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi consulted former PCB chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja. Adviser Aamir Mir told the media to wait, citing a one-hour delay in the match. Eventually, the team received the green light to proceed from the hotel to the stadium.

Match referee Andy Pycroft met with team manager Naveed Akram Cheema and captain Salman Ali Agha, where he termed the no-handshake incident during the Pakistan-India match as a result of “miscommunication” and issued an apology. The ICC also agreed to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation during the September 14 match.

It is worth noting that in the PCB’s initial letter to ICC General Manager Wasim Khan, it was stated that Pycroft took Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha aside at the toss and told him not to shake hands with the Indian captain. Later, he also spoke separately to Suryakumar Yadav.

Following this, Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema sought clarification from tournament director Andrew Russell, who responded that the decision was made in consultation with the BCCI and the Indian government.

The PCB stated that Pycroft’s conduct went against MCC rules and the spirit of cricket, and that the match referee had violated the ICC Code of Conduct. In protest against India’s behavior, Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha did not attend the post-match presentation ceremony, while coach Mike Hesson, in his press conference, described India’s conduct as disappointing.

During media interaction, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav referenced the “Pahalgam attack”, praising his country’s armed forces. His remarks, the PCB stated, were also a violation of the ICC regulations.

Another encounter on Sunday

Pakistan, meanwhile, beat UAE by 41 runs in a Group A match to move into the last four stage, where the green Shirts will face-off India in another politically charged clash on Sunday. Despite Pakistan’s complaint, the ICC refused the change Pycroft, who officiated the UAE match.

Pakistan got off to a shaky start as Saim Ayub fell for a second-ball duck while Sahibzada Farhan made five, both falling to pace bowler Junaid Siddique, who finished with an impressive 4-18 in his four overs. Fakhar Zaman and Salman Agha added 61 for the third wicket.

Zaman scored 50 off 36 balls and Agha made 20. Zaman hit three sixes and two fours before he fell to left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh, who took 3-26. It was left to Shaheen Shah Afridi to help Pakistan add 51 in the last five overs. Afridi added a brisk 29 not out.

Pakistan made a modest 146-9 batting first. Spinner Abrar Ahmed then led Pakistan’s bowling charge with 2-13 as the UAE were dismissed for 105 in 17.4 overs. Shaheen took 2-16 and fellow paceman Haris Rauf 2-19. Rahul Chopra top-scored for the hosts with run-a-ball 35.

The win means Pakistan join India in the Super Four from Group A. They will meet again in Dubai on Sunday. Sri Lanka meet Afghanistan in Abdu Dhabi to decide who goes through to the next round from Group B. Bangladesh are also in the running with two wins in three matches.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)