The atmosphere of the Asia Cup in Dubai is quite heated these days. Tomorrow, Sunday, is scheduled for a blockbuster Super Four match between India and Pakistan, but Pakistan has canceled its press conference just before the match.
This is the second time the Pakistani team has distanced itself from the media. The same thing happened before the match against the UAE. The team will train, but decided to avoid the press.
What’s the whole matter?
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) abruptly canceled the press conference scheduled for 6 p.m. The reason is still unknown. But considering recent controversies, it seems the situation is all due to match referee Andy Pycroft.
The old dispute over not shaking hands during the India-Pakistan match in the group stage is still fresh. Pycroft reportedly asked Pakistani captain Salman Agha and Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav not to shake hands during the toss.
This infuriated the PCB and they requested the ICC to remove Pycroft. But the ICC flatly refused.
Old wounds reopened
The situation worsened before the UAE match. The Pakistani team arrived at the stadium an hour late. The players were held at the hotel while the PCB spoke with the ICC. Then, before the toss, the Pakistani management held a private meeting with Pycroft.
The PCB posted a muted video of this on social media, which was heavily criticized. Sources indicate that the ICC is now considering taking strict action against Pakistan. Seeing all this, it seems that the poison of hostility still lingers in the air.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav took a dig at Pakistan without even mentioning its name.
He said, “Don’t know what you’re talking about,” when asked about the India-Pakistan rivalry. Meanwhile, the former PCB chairman revealed an insider’s secret that Pakistan had threatened to boycott the Asia Cup. He said, “Let the Asia Cup go to hell, let the ICC go to hell.”
Suryakumar Yadav promises 1.4 billion Indians a ‘fantastic Sunday’ vs Pakistan.
At the moment, everything is normal for India. Suryakumar experimented with his lineup after the 21-run win against Oman.
Axar Patel is struggling with an injury, but the team is ready. This Asia Cup match is always high-voltage, and this time there’s extra drama.
