Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav avoided mentioning Pakistan by name during the post-match presentation after India’s final group-stage match against Oman. The two arch-rivals are set to lock horns for a second clash in two weeks on September 21 in Dubai.
No mention of Pakistan
During the post-press conference, Sanjay Manjrekar asked Suryakumar Yadav about facing Pakistan for the second time in the tournament. Manjrekar said, “All set for Sunday’s match against Pakistan?” In response, Suryakumar Yadav highlighted that the Indian team was not focused on any specific opponent. Yadav said, “All set for Super Four,” indicating the team’s wide focus strategy on the next stage of the tournament.
Hand-shake controversy
The recent India-Pakistan clash garnered controversy when India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, refused to shake hands with the opposing team. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), prompted by the incident, filed a formal complaint with ICC. In addition, PCB also sent multiple emails to the ICC, demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, arguing that he failed to uphold the spirit of cricket and mishandled the ”no handshake” incident during the India clash.
Protest against Andy Pycroft
Tensions between the two teams were high due to the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. A major point of tussle arose when Pakistan refused to leave their hotel for a crucial Asia Cup group match against the UAE, protesting against match referee Andy Pycroft.
Pakistan insisted that Pycroft be removed, and despite the ICC’s repeated refusal, the team ultimately agreed to play. The team deliberately failed to meet the requirement for teams to arrive at the stadium two hours before a match. The game, originally scheduled for 8 p.m., was delayed significantly, finally beginning at 9 p.m.
This was in protest of the match referee, Andy Pycroft. During a conference call, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta informed PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi that Pycroft would not be removed from his position.