Asia Cup 2025 / Pakistani team cancelled PC, shocking decision after ICC's refusal

Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan cricket team is in the headlines these days, but the reason is not their achievements, but controversy and frustration. The crushing defeat in the recent T20 Asia Cup match against India and the controversy of not shaking hands after that has created a ruckus in Pakistani cricket. After this defeat, not only did they face humiliation on the field, but their demand was also rejected in front of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has further increased their difficulties. Now, just before an important match of the tournament, the Pakistani team has surprised everyone by cancelling the press conference at the last moment.

Press conference canceled a day before the match

Pakistan has to play an important match against UAE on Wednesday, 17 September 2025 in the group stage of the Asia Cup. This match is like a do or die situation for them, where it is very important to register a win. A day before this match, on Tuesday 16 September, the Pakistani team had to participate in a practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Apart from this, the press conference to be held before every match was also fixed. But, surprisingly, the Pakistani team cancelled this press conference without giving any reason.

This decision came on the same day when the ICC rejected a major demand of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In fact, after the controversy of not shaking hands in the match against India, the PCB had filed a complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft. The PCB had demanded from the ICC that Pycroft be removed from the Asia Cup and another referee be appointed. According to some reports, the PCB had also threatened that if their demand was not met, they could boycott their next match and the entire tournament.

ICC rejected the demand, took the decision in panic?

The ICC rejected this demand of the PCB outright and refused to change the referee. After this decision, a big question has arisen in front of the Pakistani team: Will they boycott the tournament by implementing their threat, which could cause them huge financial losses? Or will they swallow the insult and withdraw their threat and take the field?

It appears that the Pakistani team decided to cancel the press conference sensing the possibility of journalists raising questions on this issue. However, no official reason has been given by the team for this cancellation, which has further heated up the market of speculation.

Root of the controversy: The uproar over defeat against India and not shaking hands

This frustration of Pakistan started with the recent defeat against India. India defeated Pakistan by a huge margin in a high-voltage match of the T20 Asia Cup. After this defeat, the incident of Pakistani players not shaking hands with the Indian team gave rise to controversy. This incident was heavily criticized on social media and in cricket circles. Giving further fuel to this matter, PCB demanded action against the referee from the ICC, but the ICC's refusal increased their difficulties.

What will the Pakistani team do next?

The Pakistan cricket team is currently going through a difficult phase. Poor performance on the field on one hand and controversies on the other have damaged their image. The upcoming match against UAE is not only a battle for them to stay in the tournament, but it will also decide whether they are able to leave this controversy behind and focus on the game or not.

After cancelling the press conference and rejecting the ICC's demand, all eyes are now on whether Pakistan will implement their threat or return to the field. At the moment, it is clear that the period of turmoil continues in Pakistani cricket, and it will be interesting to see how they overcome this crisis.