“Pakistan would have suffered irreparable damage” - Ex-PCB Chairman opens up on boycott drama

After the controversial handshake drama between India and Pakistan players post the seven-wicket win on Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, Men In Green decided not to participate in their game against the UAE in the group stage.

While the PCB was quick to lodge an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), demanding that the match referee Andy Pycroft be replaced for violating the code of conduct, the ICC quickly rejected PCB’s claims.

Moreover, the PCB decided to boycott their group stage clash against the United Arab Emirates. However, they eventually decided to participate in the game after getting to know about the USD 15 million fine from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

It’s important to note that if PCB had decided to withdraw from the competition, they may not have gotten the fair share, which is estimated to be $15 million. Former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi has revealed that the current PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, was carried away in the heat of the moment and issued the threat.

“In the heat of the moment, Mohsin Naqvi had decided to withdraw from the Asia Cup. My friends told me, ‘Don’t go; don’t help them.’ I wasn’t even planning to help Naqvi. If what he was attempting had succeeded, Pakistan would have suffered irreparable damage along with an ICC penalty and $15 million,” Sethi told Samaa TV.

After three consecutive victories in the group stage against the UAE, Pakistan, and Oman in Group A, Team India topped the points table. On the other hand, Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, secured the second rank on the table.

In the Super Four stage, India will face Pakistan on Sunday, September 21. Later, they will lock horns with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the campaign.

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