On a night when Pakistan clawed their way to a narrow win over UAE, the real drama had already unfolded hours earlier, not on the pitch, but in boardrooms and hotel lobbies. The Asia Cup fixture in Dubai, delayed by an hour, was nearly called off altogether amid a heated dispute between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over match referee Andy Pycroft.
The PCB, incensed by Pycroft’s conduct during the September 14 India Pakistan match, particularly his barring of the customary captain handshake, demanded his removal from the referee panel. The ICC refused, citing its policy of protecting match officials from intimidation and political pressure. Cricbuzz.com reported on September 16 that the ICC had rejected the PCB’s ultimatum, setting the stage for a tense showdown.
Despite threats of withdrawal, Pakistan eventually agreed to play, but only after a closed-door meeting between head coach Mike Hesson, captain Salman Ali Agha, and team manager Naveed Cheema with Pycroft and match officials. The PCB claimed Pycroft apologized, though sources suggest it was more a clarification than a formal apology. The video released by the PCB lacked audio, adding to the confusion.
As the match finally began, Pakistan looked rattled. UAE dominated early, with Junaid Siddique’s four-wicket haul and Simranjeet Singh’s tight middle overs putting Pakistan on the ropes at 114 for 7. Shaheen Afridi’s explosive 29 off 14 balls pushed the total to 146, barely enough but ultimately decisive.
Haris Rauf, benched in earlier games despite being Pakistan’s top T20I wicket-taker, returned with fire, claiming two wickets in a late collapse.
“These things are not in my control,” Haris said post-match. “My focus was only on the match. The rest is for management to handle.”
Meanwhile, the ICC stood firm. It conducted an internal inquiry and found no wrongdoing by Pycroft. Proposals to replace him with Richie Richardson were rejected. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta led negotiations, while Mohsin Naqvi and Salman Naseer represented the PCB. The ICC emphasized that match official appointments are central decisions, not subject to member board influence.
In Lahore, Naqvi told reporters, “This crisis has been going on since the match against India. We had an objection to Pycroft’s conduct. This matter was only solved after Pycroft apologised over miscommunication at the toss,” adding, “Cricket and politics cannot go together.”
Despite the off-field chaos, Pakistan’s fielding was sharp. Mohammad Nawaz’s stunning catch to dismiss UAE captain Muhammad Waseem, who had just become the highest T20I scorer among Associate Nations, turned the tide. Pakistan’s 146 for 9 is now the third-lowest total ever defended in Asia Cup history.
The win secured Pakistan’s place in the Super Fours and guaranteed another India Pakistan clash on September 21. But the scars of the Pycroft controversy remain. For Pakistan, this Asia Cup has been a tournament of close calls, on the field and in the corridors of power.