Pak arrive for UAE game after day long drama

ICC rejects demand for Pycroft removal

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Pakistan was forced to climb down from its pullout threat and show up for acrucial Asia Cup game against the UAE here Wednesday but not before causing a dramatic delay after the ICC's persistent rejection of its demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft.

The team had earlier refused to leave its hotel for the must-win group match as Pycroft will officiate the game that will now start at 9pm IST instead of the original 8pm start.

Teams are required to report at the stadium two hours before the start of the game which Pakistan failed to do in protest.

That Pycroft would remain match referee was communicated to PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi by ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta in a conference call.