Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan vs. UAE Match Greenlit Amidst Referee Appointment Delay

Pakistan players have been informed that their Asia Cup 2025 Group A match on Wednesday, September 17, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will go ahead as scheduled. However, the appointment of the match referee remains uncertain.

It is still unclear whether Richie Richardson or Andy Pycroft will take charge. Richardson’s presence in Dubai has fuelled speculation, but no official confirmation has been made.

Earlier, Pakistan had threatened to boycott the tournament following the handshake saga involving Suryakumar Yadav and the Indian team. Their grievance centred on match referee Andy Pycroft, whom they accused of acting against the Spirit of the Game. The International Cricket Council (ICC) thereafter rejected Pakistan’s demand to remove him.

Pakistan also skipped their pre-match press conference, sparking fresh speculation about a boycott. It was later confirmed they would face the UAE, with Richardson set to officiate that game and Pycroft continuing as referee for the rest of the competition. Sources indicated that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before this decision was reached.

However, the referee slot for Pakistan’s next game remains blank, once again casting uncertainty over the fixture.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended its Director of International Cricket Operations, Usman Wahla, in the aftermath of the team’s seven-wicket defeat to India.

Media reports in Pakistan claimed the Mohsin Naqvi-led board took disciplinary action against Wahla for “failing to take timely action” during the handshake controversy that marred the high-profile clash.

More to follow...