Pakistan boycotts press conference ahead of India clash

India and Pakistan are set to face off again in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup. The handshake controversy from the group stage has already added to the tension. Match referee Andy Pycroft—who faced criticism over the no-handshake incident with Indian players—has again been assigned to officiate the Super Four clash, a decision that has drawn strong protest from Pakistan. In response, the Pakistan team has boycotted the pre-match press conference.

The two teams will meet on September 22 in the Super Four. According to Indian media, Pakistan canceled the press conference to avoid questions regarding the handshake dispute.

Earlier, during the group stage, Pycroft had instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha to shake hands with India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav. The PCB lodged a complaint with the ICC and exchanged emails demanding Pycroft’s removal, but the ICC did not accept the request.

Later, the PCB claimed that Pycroft had apologised in a meeting. However, Indian media reported that he did not apologise, but merely expressed regret over a “misunderstanding.”