The build-up to the India-Pakistan Asia Cup Super 4 clash is again tainted by controversy after PCB's boycott drama unfolded before the UAE group stage game.
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Pakistan beat UAE by 41 runs to secure qualification for the September 21, Sunday clash against India. The Men in Blue meanwhile, won both their games so far and were the first team to qualify for Super Fours.
Former Pakistani cricketer Tanvir Ahmad has now made a bold statement, calling PCB's boycott call before the UAE game a 'drama' to create hype for the upcoming game against India.
What happened with the Pakistan Cricket Team?
It all started when Team India refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players after winning the group game on September 14th. This came as the Men In Blue's silent protest against the terror attack that killed several innocent Indians earlier this year.
Furious with the incident, PCB lodged an official complaint to the ICC over Match referee Andy Pycroft, stating that the official failed to enforce the MCC laws and uphold the spirit of the game. The board wanted the referee from Zimbabwe removed from the Asia Cup panel.
The ICC, however, rejected all the claims and announced that Pycroft will continue to officiate. The decision did not go well with PCB, as they took a call to boycott the UAE game. However, after a lot of chaos and a one-hour delay, the side went on to play the game.
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PCB's boycott decision called 'drama' to promote India vs Pakistan match
Tanvir Ahmed has issued a strong statement on the matter. The former cricketer feels that it was all a 'drama' just to hype up the India-Pakistan Super Fours game scheduled for Sunday.
"I think all the drama (boycott call), from what I understood, was to fill the ground on the 21st (India vs Pakistan Super Fours clash) as the stadium wasn't jam-packed on the 14th, said Ahmed.
The India vs Pakistan clash at the Dubai International Stadium on September 14th saw a limited crowd. It wasn't like the usual India-Pakistan clash, which is used to witness jam-packed stadiums.
The two sides are set to collide again this Sunday in a Super Four encounter. With everything that has transpired in the last week, the clash is expected to produce a thriller with a lot of hype.
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