The Pakistan Cricket Team, who are scheduled to attend the media ahead of their third Group Stage clash, have cancelled the press conference ahead of the UAE clash, which will take place on September 17 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Sports Tak understands that the Pakistan Cricket Team is currently practising at the Dubai International Stadium but they have refused to attend the media before the UAE clash. The press conference was scheduled to take place at 9.30 PM IST.
Pakistan's decision not to attend the media came after India captain Suryakumar Yadav-led India refused to shake hands with them after defeating the Men in Green by seven wickets in their last clash.
After that incident, PCB lodged a complaint with the ICC over the actions of match referee Andy Pycroft for allegedly telling the two captains not to shake hands during the toss for their Asia Cup Group A match on Sunday. PCB wants Pycroft to be removed as referee from the Asia Cup.
“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup," Naqvi said in a social media post on Monday.
What happens if Pakistan boycott the Asia Cup 2025
PCB has reportedly threatened to pull out of the ongoing Asia Cup over a dispute involving ICC match referee Andy Pycroft. The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) is unhappy with how Pycroft handled the recent controversy where Indian players didn't shake hands with Pakistani players after the match. However, ICC refused to remove him.
Walking away from the tournament isn't a simple decision for Pakistan. Doing so could cost them around $12 to $16 million in revenue, which is a big chunk, about 7% of their yearly budget. The Asia Cup is a major event, and the PCB, like other major Asian cricket boards (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan), gets about 15% of the total revenue.
The money comes from TV deals, sponsorships, and ticket sales. For example, Sony Pictures Network India has signed a massive $170 million broadcast deal with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which runs until 2031. If Pakistan pulls out, it could affect this deal, especially since the India-Pakistan match is the biggest money-maker.
What's more complicated is that Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, is also both the head of the PCB and the current chief of the ACC. So he’s caught in a tough spot, balancing his responsibilities as a national leader with the financial and political consequences of this move in the cricketing world.
If Pakistan skips the tournament, they might lose their share of ACC funds and also face backlash from broadcasters and sponsors. Unless the ACC agrees to quietly swap referees for upcoming matches, it looks like Pycroft will continue in his role, including for Pakistan’s next game against the UAE.
So, in short, Pakistan is upset, but pulling out of the Asia Cup would come with serious financial and reputational risks, and not much to gain.