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Team India legend Sunil Gavaskar has criticised Pakistan for not attending a pre-match press conference ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match against the Men in Blue on Sunday. Pakistan are hitting headlines for controversial reasons since the match against India in Dubai on September 14. Following the Group A match between India and Pakistan on Sunday, Suryakumar Yadav and his men refused to shake hands with Pakistan players. During the toss, Suryakumar also didn’t follow the customary handshake convention with his counterpart Salman Ali Agha. The incidents miffed Pakistan and PCB complained to ICC and demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft. However, ICC snubbed PCB’s request and stood with the Zimbabwean.
Before the match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan also threatened ICC to pullout from the Asia Cup 2025 but later participated in the contest. Amidst these scenes, Gavaskar has come heavily on Pakistan for boycotting the presser before the upcoming India match. “I don’t know what the thinking behind that is, but as far as I know, press conferences are mandatory. If teams don’t hold them, I’m not sure what the penalties are—if any—but in today’s world, it’s important for the media to be involved and kept informed. It’s still essential to maintain open communication with the media. Instead of relying on ‘sources’ or speculation, it’s always better for teams to convey their point of view directly. Perhaps Pakistan feel they have nothing to share, which, frankly, isn’t surprising,” said Gavaskar.
Andy Pycroft receives support from ICC in the controversy
ICC has supported firmly with Andy Pycroft as the Zimbabwean will officiate the game between India and Pakistan in Dubai in the Super 4 round. Pycroft also showed up as the match referee in the contest between Pakistan and the UAE in Dubai on September 17. Cricket's apex-body has also given a clean chit to Pycroft after an enquiry.
In the remainder of the tournament, Pycroft will officiate games in Dubai while Richie Richardson has been assigned the job to officiate matches in Abu Dhabi. Off the remaining seven matches, six will be held in Dubai while only one game between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on September 23.
