The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to take a dramatic U-turn after threatening to pull out from the Asia Cup 2025 over match referee Andy Pycroft’s non-removal. The PCB had warned that it would boycott the upcoming match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if the match referee, who apparently played a role in the no-handshake saga in the match against India, wasn’t immediately removed. The ICC rejected Pakistan’s request, clarifying its stance on the matter, while also giving a clean chit to Pycroft.
As of now, Pakistan will train on Tuesday evening ahead of their match against UAE on Wednesday. Pakistan will be eliminated from the Asia CUp if they lose to the UAE.
As the ICC decision prompted Pakistan’s potential withdrawal from the tournament, the PCB has reportedly taken a U-turn and decided to continue with the tournament. The reason behind the u-turn is a potential sanction from the ICC over withdrawal from the tournament.
“It is very unlikely that the PCB will pull out from the Asia Cup,” a PCB source said. “If we do that, ICC led by Jay Shah will put heavy sanctions on the PCB, and this is something our board cannot afford. The financial situation post the Champions Trophy, where all the stadiums were renovated, is not good.”
With the PCB struggling financially, a long journey in the Asia Cup is quite important for the country’s crircketing ecosystem.
