Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan vs. UAE Match Confirmed Amid Referee Appointment Delay Here are a few other options: Pakistan's Asia Cup Clash with UAE to Proceed Despite Referee Uncertainty Asia Cup: Pakistan's UAE Match Set, Referee Situation Unresolved

Pakistan players have been informed that their Asia Cup 2025 Group A match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday, September 17, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will go ahead as scheduled. However, the appointment of the match referee remains uncertain.

It is still unclear whether Richie Richardson or Andy Pycroft will take charge for the upcoming clash. Richardson’s presence in Dubai has fuelled speculation, but no official confirmation has been made thus far.

Earlier, Pakistan had threatened to boycott the tournament following the handshake saga involving Suryakumar Yadav and the Indian team on September 14. Their grievance centred on match referee Andy Pycroft, whom they accused of acting against the Spirit of the Game. The International Cricket Council (ICC) thereafter rejected Pakistan’s demand to remove him.

Pakistan also skipped their pre-match press conference, sparking fresh speculation about a boycott. It was later confirmed they would face the UAE, with Richardson set to officiate that game and Pycroft continuing as referee for the rest of the competition. Sources indicated that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before this decision was reached.

However, the referee slot for Pakistan’s next game remains blank, once again casting uncertainty over the fixture.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended its Director of International Cricket Operations, Usman Wahla, in the aftermath of the team’s seven-wicket defeat to India.

Media reports in Pakistan claimed the Mohsin Naqvi-led board took disciplinary action against Wahla for “failing to take timely action” during the handshake controversy that marred the high-profile clash.

As far as the upcoming clash is concerned, Pakistan find themselves in a must-win situation. A defeat would eliminate them from the competition and send the UAE through to the Super Four alongside India. Pakistan last lifted the Asia Cup in 2012 and will be desperate to end their 13-year wait for the title.