Pakistan skip pre-match media duties again
Pakistan have once again skipped their pre-match media duties, cancelling yesterday’s scheduled press conference ahead of their Super Fours clash against India in Dubai. As per the Asian Cricket Council’s itinerary, a Pakistan player or coach was expected to speak to the press at 6:00pm local time, just before the team’s three-hour training session at the ICC Academy.
While training will go ahead as planned, the media briefing was called off. No reason was given, but it is the second straight occasion that Pakistan avoided a press conference. Earlier, they also pulled out before their must-win group match against the UAE–a game overshadowed by controversy involving match referee Andy Pycroft.
That row stemmed from the toss in Pakistan’s previous meeting with India, when Salman Ali Agha was informed there would be no customary handshake with opposition captain Suryakumar Yadav. The Pakistan camp protested, viewing it as a breach of protocol, and even pushed for Pycroft’s removal. An ICC-brokered meeting involving team officials and Pycroft appeared to settle matters, with the PCB later sharing a short video suggesting the referee had apologised.
The ICC, however, criticised the move, insisting the footage was filmed inside a restricted Players and Match Officials Area without clearance. Pycroft remains on duty and is set to officiate again when India and Pakistan meet today. India, meanwhile, will also did not hold a media conference yesterday, having already completed their obligations after facing Oman on Friday night. Today’s high-profile fixture will mark the opening Super Fours match for both sides, once again putting cricket’s fiercest rivalry under the spotlight.