Pakistan on Saturday opted to call off their pre-match press conference ahead of their Super Fours match against India at the Asia Cup on Sunday. They had cancelled their press conference even before their match against the UAE. Although the 6 pm local-time press briefing was called off, the team will go on with the scheduled three-hour practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
No reason for avoiding the media interaction has been revealed. This is the second straight situation in which Pakistan has avoided pre-match press responsibilities. The last cancellation had taken place before their pivotal UAE match during an altercation with match referee Andy Pycroft over a handshake incident.
The matter has attracted attention because Pycroft, who was involved in the handshake incident during the India-Pakistan match on September 14, has been appointed as the match referee for the upcoming Super Four fixture in Dubai.
After their 7-wicket loss against India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had asked Pycroft to be let go. The drama unfolded when Pycroft allegedly asked captains Salman Agha and Suryakumar Yadav to avoid handshakes while conducting the toss of their group-stage match.
Differences heightened after the ICC refused to let PCB substitute Pycroft. This caused delays before Pakistan played the UAE, when the team was late to Dubai International Stadium, resulting in a one-hour delay. Players were asked to stay at their hotel while PCB officials negotiated with the ICC.
More controversy arose when Pakistan team management met with Pycroft before the match toss in UAE. The PCB posted a drab video of the same on social media, inviting stern criticism. It is reported that Pakistan's actions are said to have triggered the ICC into thinking about what could be done against the team.
All this has provided a charged atmosphere as both India and Pakistan are set to lock horns again at the same venue.
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