PCB Chief Explains Decision to Continue in Asia Cup Despite Dispute, cites Prime Minister’s Support
pakistan continued its participation in the Asia Cup after considering a potential boycott following concerns over the role of match referee Andy Pycroft, PCB management committee chairman Zaka Ashraf revealed on Wednesday. The decision came after discussions with former PCB chairmen Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi, and with the backing of Pakistan Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif and other government officials.
The situation arose after the match between Pakistan and the UAE was delayed by one hour, during which Naqvi was involved in discussions regarding a possible boycott – a move that would have resulted in Pakistan’s elimination from the tournament. Naqvi emphasized the gravity of the decision,stating,”the boycott was a very big decision,and the situation was being monitored.”
Ashraf explained that the PCB had raised objections regarding Pycroft’s role and had requested the ICC to investigate a code violation during the match, specifically referencing the lack of handshakes between the teams. He stated that Pycroft had since apologized for the incident, saying, “Just a short while back, the match referee had a conversation with the team coach, captain and manager. He saeid that this incident (no handshakes) should not have happened.”
He further underscored the PCB’s stance on keeping politics separate from sports, saying, “We beleive that politics and sports can’t go together.This is sports, and let it remain a sport. Cricket should be separate from all this.”
A voluntary withdrawal from the Asia Cup would have resulted in significant financial losses for the PCB, perhaps including compensation claims from broadcasters.
Najam Sethi, also present at the press conference, reiterated the PCB’s long-held position against mixing politics and sport. He also claimed the international community had reacted negatively to statements made by India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who dedicated India’s seven-wicket win to the Indian Armed Forces following the Pahalgam terror attack.
“PCB’s objective has always been that there should be no politics in sport… They played politics, we didn’t,” Sethi said. “We demanded an apology, and they have given the apology. Cricket is the winner. The world will support our stand, and you are all seeing the world’s reaction to India’s stand.”
Following the match, the Indian team declined customary post-match greetings, closing the dressing room door when approached by the Pakistan team. The initial dispute stemmed from the lack of handshakes after the previous contest between the two nations.