UAE vs PAK | Twitter reacts as Pakistan's inexplicable absence in Dubai causes UAE clash to be delayed
The high-stake Asia Cup group stage encounter between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, slated to begin at 8 PM IST in Dubai on Wednesday, has been delayed for unannounced reasons. The Men in Green arrived at the venue after the scheduled toss time, with reports suggesting a possible boycott.
The Asia Cup's tryst with controversy went a couple lengths further on Wednesday after the Group A encounter between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates failed to kick-off at the planned time. The development was not communicated ahead of the encounter by either team or the tournament organizers and following initial doubt about the match taking place, it was confirmed that the clash will begin an hour late at 9 PM IST.
Doubts first arose when a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson relayed to national media that the nation's participation in the tournament was under deliberation on the eve of a must-win encounter for both teams, with the victor making it through to the Super 4 stage of the competition.
“Consultations are underway in this regard and a final decision will be taken by tomorrow (Wednesday). The decision will be taken keeping in mind the interest of Pakistan,” the message read.
The confusion heightened when Pakistan players did not arrive at the venue for their pre-match training sessions, even as their rivals slugged it out under the sun. While conjectures were being formed, the spokesperson revealed PCB Chairperson Mohsin Naqvi was in discussion with his predecessors Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi to decide the further course of action. It was not until a few minutes before the toss that Naqvi tweeted the team has orderbed to leave for the ground while the hotel premises were cleared of observers as players made their way to the team bus.
The abrupt changes follow a handshake row during Pakistan's latest encounter against arch rivals India, following which the PCB had requested the International Cricket Council to change match referee Andy Pycroft for their next encounter. However, the plea fell on deaf ears as their claims of India breaking cricketing laws by refusing to shake hands after the game emerged to be unfounded considering the MCC rules state nothing such, beyond a mention to upholding the spirit of the game in the preamble to their Code of Conduct. Skipper Salman Agha Ali had also boycotted the post-match presentation in the incident's aftermath even though head coach Mike Hesson was present at the post-match press-conference, albeit the media interaction before the UAE clash was also unduly cancelled without explanation.
Stays there!
🚨 ANDY PYCROFT REMAINS THE MATCH REFEREE IN THE UAE Vs PAKISTAN MATCH TODAY 🚨
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh)
Right!
Unmoved. Unshaken. Andy Pycroft.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
Koi baal bhi baka nahi kar sakta.
LOL!
Andy Bycroft in the middle 😂
— Ankur Kashyap (@ankurs000)
UAE Won the Toss and decided to Defeat Pakistan. All Drama by Clown mohsin nakvi and his management is dusted by icc.
No comments!
ICC टू भिखारिस्तान 😅
— Siingha 🇮🇳🐅 (@PahadiiSiingha)
OK!
Umpire Andy Pycroft has apologised to the Pakistan cricket team’s manager and captain.
— Moazam Chaudhary (@Moazamch98)
He is in!
Breaking 🚨
— Waqas Khan 🇺🇸 (@WWakas)
Controversial Match Referee Andy pycrofft has apologized to Pakistan Team , Captain and Team Manager before the Toss.
Yeah!
UAE won the toss & decided to bowl first.
— Moazam Chaudhary (@Moazamch98)
Hilarious!
Open the Liv just to see Andy Pycroft at the Toss. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Abhishek 🇮🇳 (@abhi_d7)
:O
Controversial match Referee Andy Pycroft to supervise Pakistan v UAE Match
— Daniyal Khan (@daniyal567804)
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