Suryakumar Yadav’s Four-Word Reply Stirs Heat Ahead Of India's Super 4 Clash Vs Pakistan

India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav avoids naming Pakistan ahead of Super 4 clash in Dubai, as ICC backs Andy Pycroft amidst PCB complaints.

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav categorically avoided taking Pakistan’s name at the post-match presentation following the final group-stage game against Oman, even as the arch-rivals gear up for a marquee clash for the second time in two weeks, all set to be played in Dubai on Sunday, September 21.

During the post-match presentation, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar questioned Suryakumar about facing Pakistan once again.

However, Suryakumar’s four-word response made it clear that the Indian camp is not focused on their next opponents at all.

“All set for Sunday’s match against Pakistan?" Manjrekar questioned. “All set for Super 4," Suryakumar answered.

It is worth noting that the group-stage clash between India and arch-rivals Pakistan sparked controversy when Suryakumar declined to shake hands with the opposition.

The incident prompted the PCB to lodge complaints with the ICC, sending several emails demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, claiming that he couldn’t uphold the spirit of cricket.

The India-Pakistan clash took place in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

Pakistan had to back down from its pullout threat and play the crucial Asia Cup game against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, though not before creating a dramatic delay after the ICC’s repeated refusal to remove Pycroft.

Earlier, Pakistan had refused to leave their hotel for the must-win group match, objecting to Pycroft officiating a game that was pushed back to a 9 pm IST start from the original 8 pm.

Teams are mandated to arrive at the stadium two hours before the game, a requirement Pakistan could not meet in protest.

It was conveyed to PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi by International Cricket Council CEO Sanjog Gupta during a conference call that Pycroft would continue as match referee.

The International Cricket Council maintained that the Zimbabwean will remain in charge as he has followed the rules and regulations to the ‘T’.

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