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When the management announced, ‘The match is not happening, you can all go back to your rooms now’, all the Pakistani players’ faces fell.
They had come to the UAE to play cricket, and no one wanted their Asia Cup campaign to end like this. But the official instructions had to be followed.
Simultaneously, the PCB sent a WhatsApp message to the media, asking them to reach Gaddafi Stadium immediately for a press conference, with TV channels bringing DSNG vans for live coverage.
The match time was approaching and the team was still at the hotel, even though, they had been told to put their gear on the bus and wait.
At that point, Pakistan’s Asia Cup clash against UAE seemed finished.
Meanwhile, PCB officials were in a Zoom meeting with the ICC, but no positive outcome came out of it. The Council is headed by India’s Jay Shah, who has also placed fellow countrymen in other key positions.
Pakistan’s objection was to match referee Andy Pycroft, who had told captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with the Indian skipper. Pycroft seemed to be clearly facilitating the BCCI, which is why PCB wanted him removed from refereeing duties.
But had Shah done that, he risked being scolded by his father Amit Shah and even labeled a deshdrohi (traitor). On the other hand, PCB had already made a lot of noise—if it backed down, it would have been humiliating.
ICC General Manager Wasim Khan was also quite active in the matter. Since his job is already under threat, he was trying hard to prove himself neutral.
The simple solution for the Council would have been not to appoint Pycroft for Pakistan’s matches, but Jay Shah didn’t allow that.
Instead of being removed, Pycroft continued officiating and even oversaw the Pakistan–UAE match. In the end, the matter ended with apologies and inquiry promise.
Now the question arises: if this was the outcome, why did PCB delay so much? They could have accepted earlier, and the match would have started on time instead of being delayed an hour, without unnecessary tension.
Reports suggest that the board was seriously considering a boycott. A legal-minded official advised it. But when Chairman Mohsin Naqvi consulted Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi, they advised that boycotting the match would negatively impact Pakistan cricket.
Better to play, accept the referee’s apology and investigation, and settle it on the field.
That’s what eventually happened. The players boarded the bus, went to the stadium, and the match was played. Pakistan won and qualified for the Super Four. Still, the controversy had a negative effect on the team, leaving the players in uncertainty.
There were even fears that due to mental pressure, they might lose against UAE. Thankfully, despite an average batting performance, Pakistan won.
This episode proved that Mohsin Naqvi needs to appoint capable officials around him.
COO Sameer Syed has no understanding of cricket, Salman Naseer drags everything into legal tangles, and Wahab Riaz remains focused on leagues rather than administration.
If Naqvi had the right people around him, he wouldn’t have needed to call Ramiz or Sethi.
In Dubai, when the team saw the Indians weren’t in the mood to shake hands, the players could have stepped back themselves.
India has already lost a war—six jets including Rafale destroyed—they faces global embarrassment. To distract its public, it is using cricket as a shield.
Pakistan’s management also mishandled things. Naved Akram Cheema should now step aside; this isn’t the era where you could enforce curfews and strict orders. When it was decided to boycott the prize distribution ceremony and Salman Ali Agha didn’t go, why then send Shaheen Afridi to collect the award for most sixes?
More important than the handshake issue was Suryakumar Yadav’s interview in which he referenced the Pahalgam incident and praised his army. Why wasn’t that highlighted? Why was the protest letter delayed? International Director Usman Wahla was suspended, but is he solely responsible?
The board must reflect on all this. They need a strong CEO who understands cricket. The chairman has other responsibilities, so there should be someone capable enough to run the board even in his absence.
India will continue using such negative tactics to cover up its humiliation in war. Its media, notorious for lies, is fueling the fire. Just like during the war, when they spread absurd stories, they are doing the same now. Already they are spreading that the Indian captain won’t receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. First win the trophy, then talk about it!
Reports also claim Pycroft never actually apologized. If so, why is the referee silent? Why hasn’t the ICC denied it? More absurd still, Indian media even made a story out of the quality of Pakistan’s shirts! Indians IQ level seems shockingly low—they don’t realize Modi’s government, after losing the war, is fooling them by selling new distractions.
Anyway, such mischief will keep happening. What Pakistan must remember is that winning and losing are part of cricket—but always fight. In the next match, don’t try to shake hands with them, defeat them on the field. The more you ignore the Indians, the more they will squirm. Don’t fall into their traps, just focus on your game.
