Asia Cup 2025: Delay in Pakistan’s Match Raises Questions About Participation

Pakistan’s cricket match against the UAE at the Asia Cup was pushed back by an hour due to tensions following their recent match against India.

After that game, which was the first since a military conflict earlier this year, Pakistan’s team reported that Indian players did not shake hands. They also said that the match referee, Andy Pycroft, advised their captain, Salman Agha, against greeting the Indian captain during the toss.

This situation led Pakistan to request that Pycroft not officiate any more matches in the tournament, including the upcoming one against the UAE.

Originally scheduled to start at 3:30 PM BST, the match new time is 4:30 PM BST, allowing Pakistan to arrive just 30 minutes before the toss. Pakistan Cricket Board chair Mohsin Naqvi consulted with his predecessors before making the trip to the stadium.

If Pakistan wins against the UAE, they will face India again on Sunday in Dubai during the Super Four stage, reigniting the ongoing rivalry.

This latest incident highlights how political and diplomatic tensions can impact sports. Historically, India and Pakistan matches have frequently been overshadowed by their complex relationship. They seldom play each other outside major international tournaments. For example, during the Champions Trophy earlier this year, India’s games were moved to Dubai when they refused to visit Pakistan.

Looking ahead, Pakistan has announced they will not participate in the upcoming Women’s World Cup in India next month due to these ongoing tensions. Instead, their matches have been relocated to Sri Lanka.

Social media is buzzing with reactions regarding these developments, illustrating just how deeply cricket is interwoven with national pride in both countries. As cricket lovers anxiously await these matches, the story of India and Pakistan continues to unfold within and beyond the boundaries of the cricket field.



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