Dubai, September 20, 2025: Pakistan have cancelled their scheduled pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Asia Cup Super Fours clash against India, a decision that comes as Andy Pycroft was confirmed to officiate as match referee once again.
According to the Asian Cricket Council’s schedule, a Pakistan player or coach was due to address the media at 6 pm local time on Saturday, followed by a three-hour training session at the ICC Academy. While training will go ahead as planned, the press conference was called off without explanation.
It is the second consecutive match in which Pakistan have withdrawn from pre-match media duties. The move follows the recent controversy involving Pycroft, who was at the centre of the “handshake saga” during Pakistan’s earlier match against India. At that time, Pakistan accused the referee of undermining ICC protocols when he told Salman Ali Agha there would be no handshake with India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav at the toss. The PCB had even demanded his removal from the tournament.
Although the ICC later arranged a conciliatory meeting—where Pycroft expressed regret and the PCB released a muted video claiming an apology—the issue sparked fresh tensions when the ICC reprimanded Pakistan for filming the exchange inside the restricted Players and Match Officials Area.
With Pycroft set to oversee Sunday’s game once more, Pakistan’s latest cancellation has fuelled speculation of lingering unease within the camp.
Meanwhile, India will also not hold a press conference on Saturday, having already conducted an embargoed session after their win against Oman on Friday night.
Sunday’s match will be the first Super Fours fixture for both sides.
