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New Delhi: New details have emerged about the events inside the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on September 17 ahead of the Pakistan vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 match when the Men in Green appeared on the verge of pulling out. The controversy started after Indian players avoided the post-match handshake with Pakistan on September 14 which annoyed the PCB. This led the board to threaten the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft and even consider a boycott. Tensions peaked before the Pakistan vs UAE game with players reportedly instructed not to leave the stadium due to Pycroft’s presence as referee. Ultimately the PCB backed down and the match eventually started with a delay. PCB chief has made some intriguing remarks Najam Sethi former PCB chief who participated in the decision-making process has now made some intriguing remarks. The decision was already taken. The mood was such that under public pressure lets boycott. Let the Asia Cup go to hell let the ICC go to hell. My attitude has always been that you should stay within legal boundaries and not leave the international arena. When I was called my friends told me Dont go dont support him. I hadnt gone to support Mr. Mohsin Naqvi. I went to help the Pakistan Cricket Board said Sethi on Samaa TV. If what he was attempting had succeeded Pakistan would have suffered irreparable damage. We could have been sanctioned by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) foreign players might have refused to play in the PSL and we stood to lose $15 million in ACC broadcasting rights. It would have been an existential crisis for PCB. he added Andy Pycroft continued as match referee After a day full of drama and tension Pakistan withdrew its threat to pull out and participated in the crucial Asia Cup clash against the UAE on Wednesday. The team caused a delay claiming it had received an apology from match referee Andy Pycroft who was retained by the ICC despite Pakistan’s repeated demands for his removal. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta informed PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi via a conference call that Pycroft would continue as match referee. The ICC stated that the Zimbabwean would remain in charge as he had adhered to all rules and regulations. Story Highlight New details have emerged about the events inside the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on September 17 ahead of the Pakistan vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 match The controversy started after Indian players avoided the post-match handshake with Pakistan on September 14 which annoyed the PCB. PCB chief who participated in the decision-making process has now made some intriguing remarks about the controversial pull out meeting