By Staff Reporter
LAHORE: Pakistan on Saturday cancelled a pre-match press conference ahead of their second Asia Cup clash with arch-rivals India on Sunday, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said, as fallout lingers from a handshake row that marred their previous encounter.
“Pakistan will not be holding their pre-match press conference today,” the ACC said in a short statement. It is the second time in the tournament that Pakistan have skipped a scheduled media briefing, after also pulling out before their group-stage match against the United Arab Emirates.
The Super Four fixture in Dubai follows the neighbours’ group-stage meeting on September 14, which India won by seven wickets but which ended bitterly when Indian players refused to shake hands with their opponents.
The game was the first between the nuclear-armed rivals since a four-day armed conflict in May that left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire. The clash had been triggered by an April attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing — a charge Islamabad denies.
While the September 14 match proceeded without on-field incidents, there were no handshakes between the captains at the toss or among players at the end. At the post-match ceremony, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav referred to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, saying the victory was “a perfect gift” for his country.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) protested to the International Cricket Council (ICC), alleging match referee Andy Pycroft had told Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Yadav before the match. The PCB called for Pycroft’s immediate removal over a code of conduct “violation” and considered withdrawing from the eight-team T20I competition. Pakistan’s final group game against the UAE, which they won easily to reach the Super Fours, was delayed an hour amid the stand-off.
The issue was settled after Pycroft’s apology, which the PCB said attributed the incident to miscommunication. The ICC has signalled readiness for a formal inquiry into the alleged breach. Zimbabwean Pycroft will again serve as referee for the game.
Indian media reports say the team intends to maintain its no-handshake policy. The September 14 fixture had faced boycott calls from India, with political tensions appearing to influence the players.
India topped Group A with three wins: seven wickets over Pakistan, nine wickets against the UAE, and a 21-run victory over Oman in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Pakistan and India progressed from Group A, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from Group B. A third India-Pakistan meeting could occur in the September 28 final in Dubai if both advance. India, winners of the last 50-over Asia Cup, are favourites to defend the title in this T20 edition.
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