Asia Cup Standoff Nears End: Pakistan, ICC Reach Compromise After UAE Intervention

The uncertainty over Pakistan's further participation in the Asia Cup continues, but there is a sense of optimism for a resolution before the scheduled start of the match on Wednesday evening. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written another letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), even as midnight oil was burnt over the Andy Pycroft issue among administrators of the game.

Pakistan officials said the PCB wrote another letter to the ICC "reiterating its demands" after the world body rejected its initial request for the expulsion of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing continental championship. At the same time, a middle ground appears to have been worked out with a significant role played by the officials of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), the de facto hosts of the tournament. For the record, India are the designated hosts.

While the ICC's refusal to recall Pycroft remains unchanged for now, the authorities are believed to have suggested an acceptable alternative - taking the Zimbabwean off the roster for Wednesday's game between Pakistan and the UAE. Sources say Richie Richardson, the other ICC referee on the panel, is likely to be brought in for the virtual knockout game between Pakistan and UAE, with Pycroft continuing as a match official in the tournament. The arrangement, though, is yet to be officially confirmed.

Some face-saving changes were necessitated after the PCB took the extreme position of pulling out over the issue of Pycroft, who it alleged had sided with India during the September 14 clash between the arch-rivals and the handshake controversy.

The situation escalated after the ICC rejected PCB's demand. With the prospect of Pakistan pulling out of the tournament looming, top UAE board officials are believed to have stepped in to mediate between the ICC and the PCB.

They reportedly argued that, with tickets already sold and sponsors and broadcasters committed, the situation could get problematic for all parties. Cricbuzz has reached out to both the ICC and the Emirates board officials.

There has been no official communication from the ICC, even as the Pakistan board said it will come out with a statement on Wednesday. "Consultations are underway in this regard, and a final decision will be made by tomorrow. The decision will be taken keeping Pakistan's interest in mind," PCB spokesperson Amir Mir said late on Tuesday night.

The PCB was to hold a meeting late on Tuesday night once its chief, Mohsin Naqvi, returned to Lahore from Islamabad, where he had gone to consult with the government about the handshake controversy, its implications, and the standoff with the ICC.