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1h ago

Pakistan Cancels Pre-Match Presser Again as ICC Backs Referee in Handshake Dispute

A near-boycott was headed off after warnings of sanctions and a $15 million broadcast hit, leaving tensions to simmer before the India rematch.

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Overview

  • Pakistan scrapped its scheduled media briefing before the Super Four game against India, repeating a cancellation made before the UAE match.
  • Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi said Mohsin Naqvi had moved to pull Pakistan out, with an emergency huddle delaying the UAE game by an hour and averting what he estimated as a $15 million loss.
  • The ICC rejected PCB’s bid to remove match referee Andy Pycroft, disputed claims he apologised, and flagged a protocol breach over PCB filming a PMOA meeting, with CEO Sanjog Gupta sending a formal letter.
  • PCB brought in motivational speaker Dr Raheel to work with players and Naqvi visited training to speak with the squad and coach Mike Hesson; asked about the presser snub, Naqvi said, “We will talk soon.”
  • Pycroft is set to referee the India–Pakistan Super Four fixture on Sunday, as both camps downplay the row and India’s Suryakumar Yadav declined to revisit handshake questions.