Pakistan vs UAE Live: Score Updates, Highlights & How to Watch Today’s Cricket Showdown

Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash Pakistan vs UAE faces an eleventh-hour crisis after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informed organisers this morning that the team will not take the field at Dubai International Stadium unless ICC match referee Andy Pycroft is replaced and a public apology is issued for Monday’s post-match “handshake row” with UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem. Why Pakistan are threatening a boycott • The PCB alleges Pycroft failed to act when several UAE players, celebrating their win over Oman, “brushed past” Pakistan’s support staff in the mixed zone. • Tensions escalated when videos of Pakistan opener Saim Ayub refusing a customary post-match handshake with UAE wicket-keeper Vriitya Aravind went viral, triggering social-media outrage in both countries. • Late Tuesday the ICC rejected Pakistan’s request to change the referee, calling the incident “a non-issue” under Article 2.20 (conduct contrary to the spirit of cricket). What happens if Pakistan pull out Tournament regulations state that a forfeit hands two points to the opposition and carries a minimum US $250,000 fine. UAE, currently level with Pakistan on two points, would vault into the Super Four alongside India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. The PCB risks further sanctions that could jeopardise their 2026 Champions Trophy hosting rights. Last-minute negotiations Asia Cup CEO Prabhakaran Nair confirmed an emergency meeting at 14:00 GST. UAE Cricket Board chairman Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan has offered to issue a “joint statement of regret” to defuse the row, but PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi insists a formal ICC review is “non-negotiable.” Pakistan’s team bus remains at the hotel; UAE completed their warm-up at the ground by 11:30 GST. Potential playing XIs (if the match proceeds) Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed. UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Aryan Lakra, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Basil Hameed, Alishan Sharafu, Asif Khan, Rohan Mustafa, Ali Naseer, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan, Aayan Khan. When and where to watch Pakistan vs UAE live • TV: PTV Sports (Pakistan), Star Sports 1 (India), Etisalat CricLife (UAE). • Streaming: Tamasha (PK), Disney+ Hotstar (IN), StarzPlay (UAE). • Start time: 19:30 local (15:30 UTC) if play goes ahead after the board meeting. Fan reaction Hashtag #PakVsUAE is trending worldwide as supporters debate whether Pakistan’s stance protects player dignity or undermines the Asia Cup’s competitive integrity. UAE fans, meanwhile, are already celebrating a potential historic Super Four berth. What to watch next If the boycott is resolved, today’s Pakistan vs UAE result will decide who meets arch-rivals India in Sunday’s blockbuster. If not, expect a legal battle and a tournament schedule reshuffle—developments that will keep the cricket world glued to updates from Dubai for the next 24 hours.