Pakistan’s match against the United Arab Emirates in the ongoing 2025 Asia Cup was delayed by one hour as tension boiled over following a controversial “handshake” row and objection over match official Andy Pycroft. The catalyst for the delay traced back to Pakistan’s earlier match against India. During that game, Indian players refused the customary pre‑match or post‑match handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. What escalated matters was the role of match referee Andy Pycroft, who had reportedly discouraged captains from engaging in that tradition.

Pakistan’s board subsequently lodged formal objections, demanding Pycroft’s removal from officiating future matches involving Pakistan. But the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected their demand. However, following the meeting with Pycroft and ICC officials, Pakistan decided to go ahead with the match. Reacting to Pakistan's conduct, Sunil Gavaskar criticised the side. 

"The other thing that left a sour taste in the mouth is holding up the game and starting it one hour late. If the PCB had any issues to discuss with and about the match referee Andy Pycroft, then it had two full days after their loss to India and before the game against the UAE in which to do so," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

"By keeping everybody in suspense and not even turning up at the ground until almost the toss time, they held the game to ransom. There is simply no excuse for delaying the start of the game for an hour while haggling to get an apology from the match referee for something that was also not in any of the rule books," he added.

Gavaskar also lashed out at PCB for claiming that Pycroft apologised for the incident.

"Then, despite the ICC, who appoints the umpires and match referees, saying there was no apology given, the PCB insisted that they had secured one and so agreed to play. They pounced on the words 'regrettable miscommunication' to say that this was the apology," Gavaskar said.