Pakistan Runs Away From Press Conference After Threatening to Boycott Asia Cup

Pakistan’s Asia Cup future remains in doubt, but the team is keeping quiet. On Tuesday evening in Dubai, the players cancelled their scheduled press conference before their final Group A match against the UAE.

One of the squad members was supposed to face the media at the ICC Academy before training, but the presser was suddenly called off.

Team sources told PTI the move was to “avoid” questions on the possible pullout threat. With the Pakistan Cricket Board yet to make a final call, no player was willing to face the press.

The boycott threat came after PCB demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft. Pakistan accused the Zimbabwean official of instructing captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salam Ali Agha not to shake hands at the toss before their Asia Cup clash with India.

But late on Monday night, ICC shot down the request. “Pycroft won’t be removed and their plea has been rejected,” an ICC source told PTI.

Despite the objection, Pycroft is set to officiate Pakistan’s group match against the UAE on Wednesday. Reports, however, suggest that PCB is still exploring if Richie Richardson can step in for that game.

Why Pulling Out is Unlikely

While Pakistan threatened to withdraw, insiders believe the board will struggle to go through with it. Walking away could cost PCB around INR 141 crore from ACC’s revenue share.

“Can Naqvi risk Pakistan losing around USD 16 million out of a projected budget of USD 227 million? That will be roughly seven per cent of annual revenue gone,” a PCB source explained.

There is also broadcaster pressure. Without Pakistan, two more high-voltage India-Pakistan matches would be lost, hurting both viewership and income. With Mohsin Naqvi serving as both PCB and ACC chief, the backlash would only get stronger.