The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a stern email to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), blaming it for violating multiple tournament rules in the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) ahead of Pakistan’s Asia Cup match against the UAE. Sources have confirmed to PTI that misconduct and repeated breaches of protocol are being evaluated. According to reports, ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta has officially written to the PCB stating, “repeated PMO violations on match day.” A tournament source told the agency, ‘’The ICC CEO has written to the PCB stating that the board has been guilty of repeated PMOA violations on match day. PCB is in receipt of the email.’’
ICC disputes PCB’s claim of Pycrott’s apology
The dispute arose after the PCB accused match referee Andy Pycrott of mishandling the ”no handshake” incident during the India clash. Ahead of the UAE match, Pakistan insisted its media manager, Naeem Gillani, attend a pre-toss meeting with Pycroft and permitted him to film the exchange, despite ICC’s clear restriction on phones and cameras in the PMOA.
The match on September 17 in Dubai was delayed by an hour when the team at first refused to leave its hotel. As per an ANI report, an ICC source confirmed, mentioning, “The ICC is expected to take disciplinary action against the PBC for violating regulations.” ICC officials have also taken exception to a PCB release claiming Pycroft “apologised,” explaining that he only expressed regret over a miscommunication. The video of the meeting later got circulated on social media, further complicating the issue.
Disciplinary action under consideration
The ICC is probing the matter, and disciplinary action may be taken on the grounds of misconduct and disregard of the regulations. Sanctions could include financial penalties or charges under the tournament’s code of conduct. However, no official decision has been announced yet.