The Asia Cup 2025 has taken a dramatic turn off the field after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) threatened to pull out of their upcoming group-stage clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The boycott threat comes in protest against match referee Andy Pycroft, whose handling of the post-match “no-handshake” incident following the India-Pakistan game drew sharp criticism from the PCB.
The controversy has raised a key question: what happens if Pakistan refuses to play their scheduled match? The answer could have major implications for Group A and the tournament as a whole.
The Group A Picture
Group A of the Asia Cup 2025 features India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman.
- India have already secured their spot in the Super 4 stage after beating both Pakistan and UAE, and currently sit on four points.
- Pakistan have two points from their win against Oman.
- UAE also have two points, having beaten Oman earlier in the group.
- Oman are out of the qualification race with no points.
This sets up the Pakistan vs UAE fixture as a virtual knockout match to decide who joins India in the Super 4s. However, if Pakistan pulls out, the equation changes dramatically.
Scenario 1: Pakistan Withdraws
- If Pakistan refuses to take the field against UAE:
- Walkover to UAE – The match will count as a walkover, and UAE will be given the win without playing.
- Points Table Shift – UAE will move to four points, while Pakistan will remain stuck on two.
- Super 4 Qualification – India and UAE will qualify for the next stage, eliminating Pakistan from the tournament.
In short, a boycott means Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign ends immediately.
Scenario 2: Pakistan Plays
- If the PCB decides to go ahead with the match, it becomes a straight contest for qualification:
- The winner between Pakistan and UAE will join India in the Super 4s.
- The loser will be knocked out.
- Net Run Rate could come into play in extreme cases, but the game is effectively a do-or-die clash.
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Wider Implications
The main effect of a boycott will be on qualification, but the fallout could be much bigger. Pulling out of an official Asia Cup match might lead to punishment or fines from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and could hurt PCB’s ties with other boards. It would also take away an important chance for Pakistan’s players to get match practice in a major regional event.
Conclusion
The PCB’s threat to boycott their match against UAE has created high drama in the Asia Cup 2025. The stakes are simple: if Pakistan withdraws, they will be eliminated, handing UAE a place in the Super 4s alongside India.
If they play, the match will serve as a high-pressure shootout for qualification. For Pakistan, the choice is clear, play and fight for survival, or withdraw and exit the tournament.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
