How Pakistan can be knocked out of Asia Cup due to protest after handshake row

Pakistan have not taken kindly to the silent treatment that they have been receiving from India on the field during the ongoing Asia Cup in the UAE. After India captain Suryakumar Yadav ignored his Pakistani counterpart Salman Agha during toss in their Group A match on Sunday, and the Men in Blue refused to shake their opponents’ hands after their seven-wicket victory, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have called for Andy Pycroft to be removed from the panel of Match Referees for the remainder of the tournament.

As if that’s not enough, the PCB, whose chairman Mohsin Naqvi also happens to be the current president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has also threatened to boycott their upcoming fixture against hosts UAE if their demand is not met.

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Surya had reportedly approached former Zimbabwean cricketer Pycroft ahead of the marquee fixture, informing him of the Indian team’s stance well in advance. The match referee then conveyed the information to the Pakistan skipper and asked him to refrain from extending his hand to his Indian counterpart during the toss.

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The Men in Green had initially lodged a complaint with Pycroft regarding the Indian team’s behaviour. PCB chief Naqvi, however, later confirmed that they have escalated the matter and have asked for the ejection of the the ex-Zimbabwean batter for the remainder of the tournament.

“The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi wrote in a post on social media.

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And in order to ensure that their demand is taken seriously, Pakistan have threatened to boycott their final Group A match against UAE, which takes place on Wednesday evening in Dubai, according to Cricbuzz.

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Pakistan began their campaign with a clinical 93-run victory over Oman in their opening game, only to suffer a seven-wicket thrashing at the hands of arch-rivals India in their next outing just two days later.

And with the UAE’s 42-run victory over Oman on Monday makes their upcoming face-off against two-time Asian ODI champions a virtual knockout clash.

Pakistan remain the favourites to seal the second Super 4 spot from Group A after India became the first team to advance to the next round thanks to Monday’s result.

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However, a Pakistani boycott effectively becomes a walkover, and that would result in the UAE being awarded 2 points, allowing them to join the Indians in the second round at the expense of the Pakistanis.

Cricbuzz also reports that the ICC, which is currently led by former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, is likely to turn down Pakistan’s request. In such a scenario, Pakistan will have to think hard whether they truly want to remain steadfast in their stand or not.