Dubai: Pakistan set up another meeting against India with a 41-run victory over the United Arab Emirates at the Asia Cup. The match began an hour late at the Dubai International Stadium, amid the ongoing tensions following Sunday’s game against India. Pakistan’s win secured their place in the Super Four stage of the competition, ensuring the next chapter of the rivalry will continue as the two teams are set to face each other again on Sunday in Dubai.
According to BBC, Pakistan claimed that India’s players refused to shake hands after Sunday’s match, which was the first between the two countries since a military conflict earlier this year. Additionally, Pakistan alleged that match referee Andy Pycroft instructed their captain, Salman Agha, not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart at the toss. This led Pakistan to request Pycroft’s removal from officiating at the tournament, though he remained as the match referee for the game against the UAE.
The game was originally scheduled to begin at 15:30 BST, but Pakistan’s players stayed at their team hotel as discussions continued. They left for the stadium about 30 minutes before the scheduled toss. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chair Mohsin Naqvi engaged in talks with former chairs Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi shortly before the team’s departure. Organisers subsequently announced the match would commence at 16:30 BST, and the PCB later stated that Pycroft had apologised to “the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team.”
This incident is the latest in a series of occasions where political relations between India and Pakistan have affected cricket. The two sides do not play each other outside of global events, and earlier this year, India’s matches at the Champions Trophy were moved to Dubai after they refused to travel to host nation Pakistan. Additionally, Pakistan will not be traveling to India for next month’s Women’s World Cup, with their matches relocated to Sri Lanka.
India and Pakistan are slated to meet in Colombo on Sunday, October 5, continuing their storied and complex rivalry in international cricket.