The Pakistan team has once again opted out of holding a pre-match press conference ahead of their Super Fours encounter against India in Dubai on Sunday. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had scheduled a media briefing for a Pakistan player or member of the coaching staff at 6 pm local time on Saturday, followed by a three-hour training session at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Training, however, is expected to proceed as planned.
This marks the second consecutive game in which Pakistan have skipped their customary media duties, having previously declined a press briefing before their must-win match against the UAE.
The move comes amid lingering tension from the controversial handshake incident involving match referee Andy Pycroft during Pakistan’s previous game against India. Following the dispute, the ICC arranged a meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan’s captain, coach and team management, during which the referee expressed regret over the events at the toss, including his directive that no handshake take place with India skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Pakistan had earlier interpreted this as a breach of the ICC’s code of conduct and demanded Pycroft’s removal from the tournament.
Ahead of the UAE clash, the PCB shared a brief, silent video of the meeting, stating that Pycroft had apologised. The ICC later objected to the filming, citing a protocol breach in the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA), though the PCB has not publicly responded.
India will also forego a press conference on match-eve, following tournament convention for teams playing with just a day’s gap. The Men in Blue held an embargoed media briefing after their win over Oman on Friday.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s Super Fours game will be the first meeting between India and Pakistan at this stage of the Asia Cup, with Pycroft confirmed as match referee.