ASIA CUP 2025
Pakistan threatened to boycott their game against UAE unless Pycroft was replaced as match referee © Getty
It’s supposed to be a virtual knockout between UAE and Pakistan on Wednesday for a berth in Super 4s in Asia Cup 2025. It will still be, provided Pakistan take the field.
India’s stance on skipping the customary toss and post-match handshakes with Pakistan – conveyed across by match referee Andy Pycroft – has had a cascading effect on entire Group A. Pakistan protested by not showing up for the post-match presentation after the loss to India, their coach called it a “flow and effect” of India’s “unsporting behaviour”, and the PCB then threatened to not take the field next if Pycroft is the match official for their future games – which he is on Wednesday.
ICC, on its part, has officially struck down PCB’s demand, putting the ball in Pakistan’s court. Will they stand their ground? Can they afford to? Because, while all of this was unfolding in boardrooms, UAE convincingly beat Oman in Abu Dhabi last night to knock them out of the competition and also send India through to the next round from Group A – meaning only either one of them or Pakistan can now progress. And, a moral dilemma for Pakistan – it’s pride at stake either way.
On the field, both Pakistan and UAE humbled Oman and were overwhelmed by India to find themselves in this winners-takes-all contest.
When: Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30 PM Local (8:00 PM IST)
Where:Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
What to expect: More heat and humidity, and wickets to spin.
Head-to-Head: UAE have their task cut out in their bid to make history, because Pakistan have won all three games against them in the format. This includes the one in the 2016 Asia Cup. Pakistan also won both matches against UAE of the recent tri-series.
Teams watch
UAE
Injuries/Unavailability: None reported.
Tactics & Match-ups: Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi could be the one they’ll look to go after early. Afridi’s PowerPlay numbers have dropped significantly this year. He conceded runs at 10.25 and is yet to pick up a wicket in the first-six overs in this tournament. With UAE openers both among runs, this could be an exciting subplot upfront.
Probable XI:Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique
PakistanInjuries/Unavailability: No concerns on that front in Pakistan’s camp either.
Tactics & Match-ups: Post 2024 World Cup, only India’s spin unit have picked up more wickets than Pakistan’s tally of 91 in 29 matches at an average of 18.09. With helpful conditions on offer in Dubai, they’re going to be a handful for even the home side. It’s going to be a trial by spin for UAE.
Probable XI:Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
Did you know?
– UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem is only the second player from an Associate nation to get to 3000 T20I runs after Virandeep Singh of Malaysia.
– Haider Ali has taken a wicket off the first ball of his spell in four out of his 15 T20I appearances.
– Afridi’s struggles aside, no pace unit has picked more wickets since the conclusion of 2024 T20 World Cup to beat Pakistan’s tally of 102 at 23.12.
© Cricbuzz
