Asia cup 2025: The Handshek controversy, which stood up after the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025, has now reached a new turn. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had talked to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to remove the referee Andy Payakroft from the Asia Cup. Paiyoft was the referee of the India-Pakistan match held on September 14, and Pakistan alleged that they worked in favor of Team India. Although the ICC did not remove him from the tournament, it was decided that Paycroft would not play the role of referee in Pakistan -related matches.

Richie Richardson gets responsibility

According to a reports quoted by PTI to the source, the match between Pakistan and UAE on September 17 will be former West Indies veteran Richie Richardson referee. He has already held the responsibility of match referee in many big tournaments. According to PCB sources, this is a “compromise”, so that the displeasure of both sides can be averted.

Who is Richie Richardson?

Andy Paiyoft’s career did not have special achievements as a player, while Richardson has been a big name for the West Indies. He played 86 Tests and 224 ODIs, including more than 12,000 runs. He has 21 international centuries in his name. Richardson, who made his debut in 1983, represented the West Indies team till 1996. After retirement, he stepped into the umpiring and referee panel. So far, he has played the role of referee in 58 Tests, 108 ODIs and 117 T20 Internationals.

Challenge increased for Pakistan

Even though Pakistan has managed to get Paiyoft away from its matches, cricket experts believe that this decision may be reverse for them. Richie Richardson’s name is very honored in the cricket world and it would be almost impossible to pressurize him. In such a situation, opposition to Pakistan can go against them.

Experts believe that PCB should avoid repeated disputes, otherwise their image will have a negative effect. If there is a demand to change the referee in every match, it can harm Pakistan’s credibility.

Next match is important

Now everyone’s eyes will be on the Pakistan vs UAE match to be held on September 17 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This match is like a do or die for Pakistan, because in the event of losing, it will be very difficult for his way to reach Super-4.

The 10th match of the 17th edition of the Asia Cup (Asia Cup 2025) is between Pakistan and the UAE today. After the handshake controversy, the Pakistan Cricket Board demanded the removal of the match referee Andy Picroft, which has officially rejected on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Pakistani media had also reported that if the match referee is not removed then the PCB will boycott the tournament. The speculation of PCB boycotting the Asia Cup has also been rejected by official sources.

The Pakistan Cricket Board made another proposal after the ICC rejected the demand. PCB does not want Andy Picroft match referee in their matches to be ahead. Actually, Pakistan is believing the conviction of insulting by Indian cricketers not joining hands.

Richie Richardson can become a referee in Pak vs UAE match

Today, Richie Richardson can play the role of match referee in Pakistan vs UAE match. Both Richardson and Andy Pycroft were appointed as the match referee for the tournament. The PCB had demanded the removal of Picroft from Pakistan’s matches, but the ICC rejected it. According to sources, Picroft will be referees only in non-Pakistan matches.

Boycott speculation dismissed

It was going on in the Pakistani media that if the ICC did not accept the demand of PCB, Pakistan would boycott the tournament and would not play matches with the UAE. After the demand by the ICC was rejected, the biggest question was what Pakistan will do now. Meanwhile, the speculation of PCB boycotting the Asia Cup has also been rejected by official sources.

2 teams from Group ‘A’ will go to Super-4. The place of India has been confirmed, while the other team will be the one who will win today’s match (PAK vs UAE). Pakistan defeated Oman in the first match and lost to India in the second match. The first match of UAE was from India, after losing, the team defeated Oman in the second match.