The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally reprimanded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for breaching multiple tournament protocols. These violations occurred ahead of the final Group A match of the Asia Cup 2025 between Pakistan and the UAE in Dubai. The controversy arose from the PCB’s demand for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft after a post-match handshake dispute in Pakistan’s previous encounter against India. Despite the ICC’s rejection, the PCB persisted, even considering withdrawing from the tournament. Prior to the UAE game, further attempts to address the issue caused delays. Pakistan’s players were confined to their hotel rooms while PCB officials, including chairman Mohsin Naqvi and former heads Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja, held a lengthy meeting, which delayed the match. Shortly before the toss, the PCB shared on social media that Pycroft had apologized. A subsequent video depicted the Zimbabwean official speaking with the Pakistan captain, manager, and coach. The ICC then sent an email to the PCB citing misconduct and violation of Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) rules. The ICC highlighted that the PCB permitted its media manager to record the meeting, despite previous warnings. The ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta, notified the PCB of repeated PMOA violations on match day. The PCB brought their media manager to the meeting, and he was initially denied entry by the ICC Anti-Corruption Manager because he attempted to bring a mobile phone into the PMOA. To prevent further conflict, the ICC agreed to a compromise, with Pycroft meeting the Pakistan manager and captain before the toss. However, the PCB demanded to record the meeting and subsequently posted the video online, sparking debate. The ICC clarified that Pycroft had only expressed ‘regret over miscommunication,’ denying the PCB’s assertion of a formal apology.
