Sawt Falasteen - Pakistan Asia Cup match belatedly goes ahead amid India handshake row

The game in Dubai belatedly went ahead following a delay while the Pakistan Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council held talks.

The PCB had demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft as match referee for the must-win group game against the hosts.

The Zimbabwean oversaw Sunday's politically charged clash with India, after which the victorious India team refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players.

The PCB alleged that Pycroft told Pakistan skipper Salman Agha and Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav not to shake hands at the toss.

Following urgent talks with the ICC on Wednesday, the PCB released a statement saying: "The ICC's match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team."

He remained match referee for the UAE encounter.

If Pakistan beat the home side they will face India again this weekend in the next stage of the eight-team regional T20 tournament.

Wednesday's game had originally been scheduled to start at 6:30 pm (1430 GMT).

The PCB's subsequent statement said: "Andy Pycroft termed the September 14 incident a result of miscommunication and apologised.

"The ICC has expressed its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation that occurred during the September 14 match."

Pakistan's seven-wicket defeat to India was the first time the rivals had faced off in cricket since the countries fought a brief but deadly border conflict in May.

I.Matar--SF-PST