Pakistan Forgoes Pre-Match Press Gathering Prior to Showdown against India in Asia Cup
India and Pakistan are set to face off in the much-anticipated Group A clash of the Asia Cup on Sunday, with the handshake issue casting a shadow over the highly-anticipated match.
The incident, which occurred following a four-day cross-border conflict in May that left more than 70 people dead, has become a point of contention between the regional neighbours. The last meeting between the two teams ended on a bitter note as Indian players refused to shake hands with their opponents.
The Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has chosen to focus on the bat and ball ahead of the rematch, steering clear of the no-handshake issue. Yadav has been praised for his leadership, maintaining a positive atmosphere within the team and encouraging his players to focus on the game at hand.
The Indian team is reported to be sticking to its no-handshake policy for Sunday's clash. Meanwhile, the name of the match referee for the game has not been disclosed.
The Asian Cricket Council announced that Pakistan will not be holding their pre-match press conference, a decision that has been taken twice following the handshake incident. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft as match referee for the game, but he remains scheduled to officiate on Sunday.
India has been in fine form in the tournament so far, winning all three of their group games. They beat Pakistan by 7 wickets, UAE by 9 wickets, and edged out Oman by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi. The team gave a good outing to their players during the game against Oman, with Suryakumar Yadav praising the Omani team for their performance and the good brand of cricket they played.
Pakistan's last group game against the United Arab Emirates was delayed for an hour due to a stand-off, but the matter was eventually resolved. The PCB claimed that match referee Andy Pycroft apologized for the incident during the stand-off.
As Sunday's game approaches, both teams are gearing up for a fierce contest. The focus remains on the contest between the ball and the bat, with the handshake issue taking a back seat for now. The Asian Cup is set to witness a thrilling encounter between India and Pakistan, with the winner advancing to the final.
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