Pakistan cricket team cancels pre-match press conference amid boycott deliberation

The Pakistan cricket team on Tuesday called off its scheduled pre-match press conference in Dubai, even as the squad continued regular practice sessions ahead of their next Asia Cup 2025 fixture.

According to officials, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still deliberating on whether to continue its participation in the tournament following recent controversies. A final decision on a possible boycott is expected to be announced soon.

The development comes against the backdrop of the ongoing “handshake saga” that has strained relations between the two sides. During the toss of the high-profile Pakistan-India match, both captains avoided the customary handshake — an act reported to have been directed by match referee Andy Pycroft.

Pakistan lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), demanding Pycroft’s removal from the tournament.