The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a firm stance against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after a series of incidents during the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. The global governing body has accused the PCB of breaking several rules, including filming and releasing a video of match referee Andy Pycroft without permission.
The Background
The controversy began during the high-profile India vs Pakistan match, where a “handshake row” grabbed headlines. At the toss, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. Pakistan officials complained about the incident and accused match referee Andy Pycroft of mishandling the situation.
The PCB went on to demand Pycroft’s removal from his referee duties and even threatened to withdraw from their next match against the UAE. When the ICC refused to bow to the demand, tensions escalated further.
ICC’s Main Concerns
1. Restricted Area Violation
- The PCB insisted on allowing their media manager, Naeem Gillani, into the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) for a meeting with Pycroft.
- According to ICC rules, media staff are not permitted in such areas.
2. Unauthorized Video Recording
- The meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan’s captain, coach, and team manager was secretly filmed inside the PMOA.
- The PCB later released the video on social media, even though the ICC had not given any approval.
3. Misleading Claim of an Apology
- The PCB stated that Pycroft had apologised to them over the handshake issue.
- However, the ICC clarified that Pycroft had only expressed regret about a “miscommunication,” which is not the same as an apology.
4. Match Delay
- Pakistan delayed the start of their game against the UAE by nearly one hour.
- The delay was linked to their protest against Pycroft continuing as referee and their demand for the media manager to attend the meeting.
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ICC’s Response
The ICC has officially written to the PCB, calling their actions a case of “misconduct” and a breach of multiple tournament rules. While the exact punishment has not been revealed yet, disciplinary action is expected. This could range from fines to stricter sanctions, depending on the ICC’s final decision.
Why It Matters
Incidents like this are significant because they raise questions about professionalism, transparency, and respect for rules at the highest level of cricket. The ICC’s rules about the PMOA and referee meetings exist to ensure fairness and privacy. By breaking these protocols, the PCB has invited criticism and scrutiny from the governing body.
Conclusion
The ICC’s move against the PCB shows that no team or board is above the rules of the game. With the Asia Cup still ongoing, this controversy has cast a shadow over Pakistan’s campaign and raised concerns about discipline in international cricket. The final outcome will depend on the disciplinary measures announced by the ICC in the coming days.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
