Asia Cup 2025: ICC to take strict action against PCB for 'Violating Laws'

Published - 19 Sept 2025, 09:59 IST | Updated - 19 Sept 2025, 10:29 IST

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sent an email to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), citing misconduct and multiple violations of the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol before Pakistan’s Asia Cup clash against the UAE in Dubai.

The issue began following the fallout of the India-Pakistan game on September 14, when the no-handshake episode at the toss and post-match triggered outrage in Pakistan’s camp. The PCB accused match referee Andy Pycroft of instructing captain Salman Ali Agha to avoid shaking hands with India skipper Suryakumar Yadav. India clarified that the decision had been taken as a gesture of solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, but Pakistan insisted that Pycroft had overstepped his authority.

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Demanding Pycroft’s removal from the tournament, the PCB threatened to boycott its following match against the UAE unless the ICC complied. However, the ICC rejected the request, insisting the referee had acted professionally and was merely relaying instructions passed to him by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officials moments before the toss.

Ahead of the Pakistan-UAE clash, PCB delayed the team’s departure from its hotel, causing the match to begin an hour late. To resolve the matter, the ICC allowed a meeting between Pycroft, head coach Mike Hesson, and captain Salman. Despite clear regulations, Pakistan’s media manager, Naeem Gillani, was brought into the Players and Match Officials Area.

According to ICC sources, Gillani not only insisted on attending the meeting but also attempted to film it, a direct violation of PMOA rules. Initially blocked by anti-corruption officials, he was later allowed to record a silent video after the PCB threatened to withdraw from the match. The footage was subsequently circulated on social media.

Furthermore, the PCB issued a press release claiming that Pycroft had apologised for his conduct. ICC officials dispute this version, stressing that the referee merely expressed regret over a miscommunication, not an admission of wrongdoing.

In its email to the PCB, the ICC noted that Pakistan’s actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the sanctity of the PMOA. The world body also objected to the PCB’s decision to publicise the video footage and its misleading statement regarding Pycroft’s role.

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta made it clear that repeated violations of PMOA protocols could not be tolerated, warning that disciplinary measures were being considered. The apex body stressed that match officials are appointed centrally and cannot be removed at the request of a member board, as that would set a dangerous precedent.