The $16 mn reason why Pakistan is playing with UAE despite ICC snub

After days of uncertainty and heated discussions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to go ahead and play its final Asia Cup group-stage match against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday. The decision comes despite the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejecting PCB’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from Pakistan’s games — a move that had almost led to a boycott threat.

The driving factor behind PCB’s U-turn appears to be financial. Reports suggest that a pullout would have cost Pakistan an estimated USD 16 million in revenue — a significant loss for a board that operates on a fraction of the budget of its Indian counterpart, the BCCI.

What Changed Behind the Scenes

According to PTI, which cited PCB insiders, a compromise was eventually reached. While the ICC refused to drop Pycroft entirely, it agreed to appoint Richie Richardson as match referee for Pakistan’s crucial clash against UAE — a face-saving solution for PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.

Tensions had escalated after Sunday’s loss to India, during which Indian players declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts as a mark of respect for the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The PCB had accused Pycroft of breaching ICC protocols, but the governing body stood firm. Ironically, the rejection letter was signed by ICC General Manager Waseem Khan — formerly PCB’s own CEO.

The drama carried through the day, with a scheduled press conference abruptly cancelled just before the team’s training session, fueling speculation of a possible boycott. But the players eventually showed up for practice, even as India continued their intense three-hour training regimen next door — a contrast that highlighted the widening gap between the two sides.

Despite appearing relaxed during practice, PCB insiders hinted at simmering tensions, PTI.