Pakistan vs UAE Asia Cup Clash Overshadowed by Handshake Row
The Pakistan versus United Arab Emirates Asia Cup 2025 match has been surrounded by uncertainty, tension, and drama even before a single ball was bowled. The game, scheduled to begin at 9 PM IST in Dubai, was nearly derailed by the fallout of the so-called “handshake fiasco” that erupted after Pakistan’s recent clash with India.
It all started on Sunday, when Indian players refrained from shaking hands with the Pakistani team, a gesture intended as a mark of respect for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. What might have ended as a solemn gesture instead snowballed into a controversy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accused ICC match referee Andy Pycroft of mishandling the situation and formally demanded his removal. Their appeal was swiftly rejected by the ICC, which clarified that Pycroft had not breached any protocols and had, in fact, helped avoid embarrassment by advising both teams ahead of time.
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The rejection letter, ironically, came from ICC general manager Waseem Khan, who once served as PCB’s CEO. That only deepened frustrations in Pakistan’s camp. Despite the setback, PCB officials reportedly lobbied for Richie Richardson to step in as referee for the UAE game, seen as a way to provide chairman Mohsin Naqvi with a “face-saving” compromise. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, has been caught balancing the cricketing crisis with his political responsibilities.
Meanwhile, confusion gripped fans and media alike. Rumors swirled that Pakistan might even forfeit the game against UAE, which would be a costly decision—estimated to result in a financial blow of around USD 16 million for the board. The Asian Cricket Council added to the chaos by briefly deleting a social media post about the match, only fueling speculation. At one point, the Pakistani squad was even stopped from leaving their hotel, with kit bags already packed onto the team bus.
While all this unfolded behind the scenes, the stark difference between India’s and Pakistan’s preparations did not go unnoticed. India went through a three-hour high-intensity training session, with modern fitness drills and strict discipline under the watchful eyes of their staff. Pakistan’s training, in contrast, was lighter, with players indulging in football-passing drills reminiscent of routines from 15 years ago. Their cheerful banter barely masked the undercurrent of tension.
By evening, PCB chief Naqvi confirmed on social media that the team had been instructed to head to the Dubai International Stadium. The match was officially delayed by one hour, beginning at 9 PM IST instead of 8 PM. UAE players had already arrived, while Pycroft was seen at the venue despite attempts to have him replaced.
As things stand, the cricket remains almost secondary to the storm of politics, boardroom pressure, and national pride. Yet, when Pakistan and UAE finally walk out under the lights in Dubai, the hope will be that the focus shifts back to the game itself. After all, the Asia Cup is meant to celebrate cricket, not controversy.
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