Pakistan’s cricket team has finally reached the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday for their must-win Asia Cup 2025 group match against the UAE, after a dramatic delay caused by their protest against the ICC’s refusal to remove Andy Pycroft as match referee. Despite Pakistan’s demands, the ICC confirmed that the 69-year-old Pycroft would continue officiating their final group clash.
The match was delayed by an hour as negotiations continued behind the scenes. Originally slated for 8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM local time), the game is now likely to begin at 9:00 PM IST (7:30 PM local time).
PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi announced on X that the Pakistan team had been instructed to proceed to the stadium. “We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow,” Naqvi posted.
In a related development, Samaa Sports reports that the PCB has lodged two formal demands with the International Cricket Council (ICC), further intensifying tensions around the tournament. The first demand calls for the immediate removal of Andy Pycroft from officiating duties, citing a series of recent decisions that the PCB claims reflect a lack of impartiality.
The second demand targets Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, whom the PCB accuses of making politically charged remarks. The Board has urged the ICC to take disciplinary action, arguing that Yadav’s comments violate the spirit of the game and contravene the ICC’s code of conduct. As of now, the ICC has not issued an official response.
