Dubai: Uncertainty loomed over Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign amid reports that Salman Agha’s team may forfeit its final group clash against the UAE on Wednesday evening after the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rejected its plea to remove Andy Pycroft as match referee for the remainder of the tournament over the no-handshake row with India.
According to reports, the match has been delayed by an hour with the Pakistan team still in the team hotel. “The PCB has asked the Pakistan team management to stay put at the team hotel as it decides the next steps,” ESPNcricinfo reported quoting sources.
PCB spokesperson, Amir Mir, told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore that Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), was discussing the issue with former chairs Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi and they were in touch with Dubai over the matter. “… online negotiations are also going on with Dubai. The match between UAE and Pakistan has been delayed by one hour so far,” he was quoted as saying.
However, Naqvi later tweeted: “We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow.”
The toss will take place at 7pm local time and the first ball will be bowled at 7.30pm, the reports added.