Dubai hosted drama when Pakistan’s Group A match against the United Arab Emirates was held up by an hour after the Pakistan Cricket Board pressed the ICC over match referee Andy Pycroft’s role in a no-handshake incident involving India.
The board contended that Pycroft instructed captains Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav to avoid the customary handshake at the toss in their match against India, and that Indian players failing to shake hands afterwards breached sportsmanship norms. Pakistan demanded Pycroft be removed from officiating its remaining matches. The ICC, however, declined, describing the matter as a mishandled miscommunication. Pycroft issued an apology to Pakistan’s captain and coach ahead of the UAE game.
Pakistan did not leave its hotel as expected, with uncertainty over their participation looming until a late decision from the PCB allowed the team to depart for the stadium. The match eventually began with Pycroft still in place as referee.
Earlier, coach Mike Hesson expressed disappointment over the absence of handshakes. He said the Pakistani side offered to shake hands, only to find that Indian players had left the field before the opportunity. Captain Salman Ali Agha also skipped the post-match presentation following the India game. The PCB lodged a formal protest with the ACC and ICC.
Players from both sides preserved focus amid the build-up, emphasising performance over politics. The contest was declared a must-win for both UAE and Pakistan, with the winner advancing to the Super Four stage of the tournament.
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