Asia Cup: Pakistan cancel pre-match press conference before Super 4 India game

Pakistan have cancelled a scheduled pre-match press conference ahead of their Super Fours encounter against India in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup on Sunday.

According to the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) schedule, a Pakistan player or member of the coaching staff was due to speak to the media at 6pm local time on Saturday. The team was also scheduled to train for three hours at the ICC Academy in Dubai, with practice expected to proceed as planned.

This marks the second consecutive match in which Pakistan have opted not to hold their customary pre-match media duties. The team had also cancelled their press conference before their must-win match against the United Arab Emirates earlier in the week.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not provided a reason for the cancellations. The decision comes in the backdrop of recent tensions involving match referee Andy Pycroft, who is set to officiate Sunday’s India-Pakistan game.

The controversy began after Pycroft declined a handshake between Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha and India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav at the toss in a previous fixture, leading the PCB to lodge a protest and demand his removal. The International Cricket Council (ICC) later facilitated a meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan officials, during which he expressed regret over the incident.

However, the matter further escalated when the ICC criticised the PCB for recording and releasing a video of the meeting, saying it breached protocol in the Players and Match Officials Area. The PCB has not officially responded to the ICC’s communication.