&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan to boycott UAE clash after handshake saga with India? Here's what we know so far")
It was a controversial end to the high-voltage contest between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 contest on Sunday (Sep 14) as the two rivals went head-to-head at the Dubai International Stadium. In a one-sided contest, India beat Pakistan by seven wickets and then refused to shake hands with their counterparts. It was at this point Pakistan took offense to India’s “no-handshake” policy and are reportedly threatening to boycott their last league game against hosts UAE on Wednesday. So here’s what we know so far, and will the clash go ahead.
Will Pakistan boycott UAE contest?
At the time of writing, there is no confirmed news on Pakistan’s decision to boycott the final league match against the UAE. However, they have taken offense against match referee Andy Pycroft, whom they have alleged to have encouraged the “no-handshake” policy. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has alleged that Pycroft asked both captains to offer a handshake, which is against the ICC and CC rules.
On Monday (Sep 15), the PCB raised the issue with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and then to the ICC. Their demands include the removal of match referee Pycroft for any future Pakistan matches.
ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)
"The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violation by the Match Referee of the UCC 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," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi tweeted on his X handle.
Trending Stories
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
)
Karoline Leavitt to be US Vice President when Usha Vance gives birth? JD Vance says...
)
BTS at FIFA 2026: Check the halftime show timings for India and across the world
)
Did Iran secretly ship 70 million barrels of oil to China? Report claims $6 billion crude exported before blockade restored
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
)
Argentina's racism problem: How football chants reflect a deeper historical legacy
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 awards race: Who are Golden Boot, Golden Ball and Golden Glove contenders ahead of the final
)
'Chalo Sansad' march today: Section 163 in force, Delhi Police remove barricades; unfazed Dharmendra Pradhan meets NEET topper
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
Older than Himalayas: 85mn-year-old Kewra plant reached India 24mn years ago, fossil discovery in Assam shows
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026: 5 football stars who went viral on social media during the tournament
)
'Could be bombed at any moment': What Iran's Araghchi told Trump envoy Witkoff during negotiations
)
Homer's Iliad written before The Odyssey found inside an Egyptian mummy
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
US strikes Iran, sirens heard in Kuwait, one American soldier killed in Iraq: What's happening in West Asia
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Imran Khan's sister links India-Pakistan 2025 conflict to Israel recognition plans
)
JD and Usha Vance welcome fourth child: Who serves as acting US vice president during Vance's paternity leave?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s tail fins are canted to minimize its radar footprint
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Global air power ranking 2026: India surpasses China
)
Tulsi Gabbard's brother Batarti accused of luring children to hotel room in Hawaii
According to a news report from CricketPakistan.com and further taken forward by Hindustan Times, Pakistan are threatening to boycott the match against the UAE. However, at the time of writing, there was nothing concrete from the PCB nor ICC, meaning the fixture will go ahead as planned on Wednesday.
Interestingly, in case Pakistan beat the UAE on Wednesday, they will qualify for the Super Four stage, meaning they will face India again in the Super Four contest on Sunday.
