Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi has shed light on the dramatic events of September 17 during the Asia Cup, revealing that Pakistan almost withdrew from their match against UAE. This near-boycott stemmed from simmering tensions ignited by Indian players’ alleged refusal to engage in post-match handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts on September 14. The situation quickly escalated, with the PCB demanding the immediate removal of match referee Andy Pycroft and threatening to pull out of the entire tournament.
An image depicts Najam Sethi, central to these discussions. The crisis reached its boiling point just hours before the Pakistan-UAE match. In an unprecedented move, PCB officials instructed their players to remain at the stadium, citing their strong objection to Pycroft’s appointment as match referee. This stand-off inevitably led to a delay in the scheduled start of the game.
Sethi, who played a crucial role in mediating the tense situation, recounted his experience on Samaa TV. He revealed, “The decision was already made. The prevailing sentiment was to boycott the tournament under public pressure, with statements like, ‘Let the Asia Cup go to hell, let the ICC go to hell!'” However, Sethi maintained a pragmatic stance. “My approach has always been to operate within legal frameworks and never abandon the international platform,” he explained. “When I was summoned, my colleagues advised me not to intervene or support Mr. Mohsin Naqvi. But I clarified that my presence was solely to assist the Pakistan Cricket Board.”
He sternly warned of dire repercussions had Pakistan followed through with their withdrawal threat. “If their efforts had succeeded, Pakistan would have faced irreversible damage,” Sethi stated. “We risked sanctions from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), penalties from the International Cricket Council (ICC), and a potential refusal from foreign players to participate in the PSL. Furthermore, we stood to lose a staggering $15 million in ACC broadcasting rights. It would have plunged the PCB into an existential crisis.”
Ultimately, the tense standoff was diffused when Pakistan rescinded its threat to withdraw. The PCB announced that they had received an apology from Pycroft, who, despite their initial objections, retained his position as match referee. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta, who actively participated in the negotiations, later informed PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi that Pycroft’s conduct had adhered to all stipulated rules and regulations.
The root of the initial controversy lay in the PCB’s accusation that Pycroft had prevented Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, from shaking hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav and obstructed the exchange of team sheets during the pre-match toss.